A word: Bad and Good News
January 5, 2020
Through the fire: Bad & Good News
Luke 22:31-32 New International Version (NIV) 31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you,4 that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
All of us will hear some bad news and good news this year. The problem occurs when we try to let 2019 go completely because we want to let go of the experiences that haven’t gone as we’ve planned. In the text, Jesus Comes to Simon Peter with both good news and bad news. He calls him by his name twice, and when He does this it’s because he is trying to get his attention. It’s like when your mama calls you by your first and middle name.
When you are designed for spiritual significance, you will go “through the fire” of satanic attack. Jesus is telling Simon that his life is of spiritual significance as the leader of the disciples and as a result, he has been called for the test. So Jesus gave him a heads up “Simon, Satan has asked peemission to mess with you but I have prayed for your faith.”
The devil does not play fair. Whenever satan calls your name before God, he has evil intentions. You may have had plans for 2020, but he has plans for you as well.
When you go “through the fire” of satanic attack, the enemy’s goal is not just you, it is your whole crew. Satan doesn’t only want you, he wants the ones that you influence as well. How will you stand in adversity? Will you still give God glory? Will you whine and complain all the way through your trial? Satan is asking that God remove all grace and put Simon and his disciples his hands. God is talking to Simon, as the leader of the crew because if he can get to Simon, he can get to everyone else. But the good news is that Jesus interceded on behalf of Simon. “But I’ve prayed for you that your faith may not fail”. The chief aim of the enemy is to make you useless to God. The enemy is trying to sift Simon through self-confidence and righteousness, through Simon thinking that he can get through without God.
When you are designed for spiritual significance, you will go “through the fire” of personal failure. Jesus told Peter that he would betray him, and he protested. Yet, he still denied him 3 times and heard the rooster crow. Instantly, Peter recalled that Jesus said that this would happen. Isn’t it amazing that we remember the word in hindsight? But even after Peter does exactly what Jesus said he would, Jesus still never leaves or forsakes him. In all of your failures last year and this year, Jesus will still be there. You may depart from him, but he won’t depart from you.
When you go “through the fire” of satanic attack, you will be delivered by Jesus’ prayer and not your own power. There will be failure in your life, but will your faith fail? It is impossible to be pleasing in God’s sight without faith. Jesus Christ has prayed you through more situations than you could ever imagine. And he is still doing it.
When you go “through the fire” of satanic attack, your future will be greater than your failure. And since Jesus has interceded on your behalf with God, you already have the victory. But when you return, strengthen your brothers and sisters. . It’s not only about you. You will have trials and failures, but we serve a God who has already forgiven us for our sins.
❤️ T
