finally getting around to finishing my advent calendar
I love Luke 22:31-34. Verses 31&32: "Simon, Simon, behold, satan demanded to have you, that he may sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail; and when you have turned again, strengthen your brethren." To get a real understanding, though, we have to realize that there are two different "you"s being used here. JESUS first says, "Simon, Simon, behold, satan demanded to have you all, that he may sift you all like wheat.' Then, "but I have prayed for you Simon that your faith may not fail; and when you Simon have turned again, strengthen your brethren."
JESUS knew full well that Peter would deny HIM. And HE knew that Peter would repent. So HE prayed specifically for Peter. HE knew all that Peter would accomplish, and knew that Peter would need the encouragement to be strong and to forgive himself and to move forward. HE knew Peter's personality and temperment, and knew how hard this would be for him. HE knew Peter 100%, inside and out. And so HE did one of the most important things a person can do for another - HE lifted him up to the FATHER in prayer. And HE knows us, and intercedes for us with the FATHER. And when we cannot pray, the HOLY SPIRIT intercedes for us in ways we cannot express. In ways specific to each one of us.
Because HE knows us.
JESUS knew full well that Peter would deny HIM. And HE knew that Peter would repent. So HE prayed specifically for Peter. HE knew all that Peter would accomplish, and knew that Peter would need the encouragement to be strong and to forgive himself and to move forward. HE knew Peter's personality and temperment, and knew how hard this would be for him. HE knew Peter 100%, inside and out. And so HE did one of the most important things a person can do for another - HE lifted him up to the FATHER in prayer. And HE knows us, and intercedes for us with the FATHER. And when we cannot pray, the HOLY SPIRIT intercedes for us in ways we cannot express. In ways specific to each one of us.
Because HE knows us.
posted by melilotnfosco | 6:51 PM
9 Comments:
i love, love, love how God took peter's weaknesses (his impestuousness and his big mouth) and turned them into strengths
that's so comforting :)
why didn't swindoll do a peter book?
he didn't? weird... does he just do OT people or something?
no, he did paul. i also wish he had done abraham and ruth (full books, not just chapters in the final book of that series).
his newest one is about Jesus
I didn't know he was writing those books. I'll have to check them out. Maybe he'll do a Peter one yet- you should write him a letter.
there's a whole series - esther, david, joseph, paul, job, elijah, moses, "fascinating stories of forgotten lives" (lesser known Bible heroes), and now Jesus. the series is called "great lives from God's Word"
i loved the esther one, the paul one was good but too long, and the david one was fine, but disappointing after how much i loved esther. i haven't gotten to the others yet.
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