Never give up!

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​“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” (. Luke 22:31-32, ESV)

After reading John 22:31-32, it was as if I had never read it before. The words rang loud and got my attention. I repeated them to myself for the remainder of the day. What stood out to me most is the power of Jesus’ intercessory prayer and the value of our faith. 

What a sad state Peter must have been in after he denied that he knew Jesus, then to witness his travail and death on the cross. His sad state must have been enough to make one want to give up. He must have had moments where he’d given up all hope. The things that Jesus had discussed and they had struggled to understand had come to light and he must have been assured beyond a shadow of a doubt that he had denied knowing the King of Kings. The shame and guilt of it all had to have been unbearable. 

It was because Jesus had interceded for Peter that he didn’t completely give up and his faith had remained intact. It was because his faith was still operating that his story did not end like Judas. 

Charles Spurgeon wrote, “Yes, and notice that on the day of our Lord's Resurrection, Peter was the first disciple to enter the sepulcher, for, though "the other disciple did outrun Peter" and reach the grave first, "yet he went not in" until Peter led the way. "The Lord is risen, indeed, and has appeared to Simon," is a remarkable passage. Paul, writing concerning Christ's Resurrection, says that, "He was seen of Cephas," that is, Peter. There was some special manifestation of our blessed Master to Simon Peter who was waiting for it, and privileged to witness it—and this showed that his faith was kept from failing through the Savior's prayers.”

If our faith is intact today it is because the great intercessor has prayed that our faith fails us not. It is not of our own doing or because we are so good. It is because we have been awakened in the wee hours of the morning or the middle of the night to pray. It is because we have been compelled to read and study the word of God so that our thoughts and decisions are influenced by sound doctrine. Therefore our minds have been renewed and our faith strengthened. 

The enemy has no victory where there is faith and we cannot enjoy “a better resurrection” if we lay down our shields. Now is the time to stand and put up our shield of faith, lest we think that it’s impossible or too hard for God. 

“They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith.” (Hebrews 11:37-39) 

Never Give Up!!

GiGi❤️

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