Closer in the Fight

by Haley Smith

Luke 22:31-34  //  “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”

Have you ever watched a Roomba vacuum around the house? It advances along until it hits a wall, backs up, turns around and goes once again until it hits another wall. It continues its mission to clean, but struggles along the way.

Life sometimes can feel like that. Like you cannot move forward without hitting walls and obstacles along the way. Like you cannot get a win. 

In Luke 22:31-34, we get an interesting insight. You see, Jesus never promised us a “rainbows and butterflies all the time” sort of life. He said, “In this world, you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). 

And that is the very experience we see Peter going through. Jesus tells him that Satan has demanded to have him to sift him like wheat. Though it is frightening that Satan demanded Peter, notice Satan did not have the authority to take him.

He had to go to Jesus. Jesus allows Satan to have Peter, but notice what verse 32 says, “but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.” 

If you continue to read in that section and beyond, Peter ends up denying Christ 3 times before the infamous crow of the rooster; but, his faith did not fail. Peter failed, but his faith remained intact.

And it is because Jesus prayed for his faith. Our faith is the secret to pushing through those walls and obstacles in our path forward – the secret to a win. 

It is not easy to rise again, push yourself back up and continue. Know that even though you might be pressed, you will not be crushed. You may be struck down, but not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:8).

Jesus knew the path that Peter needed to take even though it was not easy. 

He knew that Peter would turn back again and because he was made stronger through the fight, he was able to go on and strengthen others (take a look at Matthew 16:18).

May you take heart in knowing that Jesus not only knows what is to come and what failures lie ahead, but He is praying on your behalf. 

Maybe it’s even those failures that make our faith stronger. I challenge you, even in the fight, to pray that your faith may be strengthened and that when you turn to Jesus, others around you are strengthened. Not because of you, but because of your faith. 

Prayer

God, there are many ways that I feel underqualified, beaten down, and discouraged. I pray that you would give me strength that can only come from you. Thank you for your love, patience, and forgiveness. Amen.