Sift Like Wheat

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.”
When Jesus was talking about sifting wheat he was referring to a very violent action used to separate the grain (wheat berry) from the stalk and the chaff. It literally meant tearing the wheat apart.  That is truly what Satan desires to do to us...to literally tear us apart physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

The moments when my faith was the weakest, Satan was sifting me until I felt I had no faith, but in those same moments Jesus was interceding for me that my faith should not fail.

My husband recovering from a broken hip, just moved to rehab, and the circumstances around me were desperate.  I was sitting in a hotel room because I couldn't spend the first night in rehab with my husband but yet I was so distraught and worn down emotionally I could not even go home to my children, Jesus was interceding for me that my faith would not fail.

Holding my 7 year old, while she cries terrified that her daddy is going to die or not understanding why she has prayed and prayed for God to take away her dad’s sickness and He hasn’t....Jesus is interceding for my faith to not fail.

Sitting in an emergency room while doctors are trying to care for my teenager and literally watching my child not able to breathe, with machines beeping like crazy, and heart rates of 170 to 180, Jesus was interceding for my faith to not fail.

As I climb in the bed with my sick mama, sing her favorite songs, rub her head, and try to calm her agitated spirit, Jesus is interceding for my faith to not fail.

As I release my son to the world to fly on his own, Jesus is interceding for my faith to not fail.

Whatever struggles I will encounter in the future, Jesus will be interceding for my faith to not fail.

This.  This.  This idea of Jesus interceding for me makes me raise my arms to heaven with a heart of gratefulness.  I am here and I continue to stand against the struggles of this life with faith...because Jesus is interceding for my faith to not fail.  Oh thank you Jesus!!!
  1. When was a time that you know Jesus was interceding for you?
  2. How does knowing that Jesus is interceding for you strengthen your faith?


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