Luke 22:31-32 ICB
[31] “Satan has asked to test all of you as a farmer tests his wheat. Simon, Simon, [32] I have prayed that you will not lose your faith! Help your brothers be stronger when you come back to me.”
This verse is so comforting yet so profound. Jesus doesn’t say “if you come back to me,” but rather “when you come back to me.” He knew Simon would face trials and that his focus would waver, but Jesus also knew that Simon’s story wouldn’t end there. The devil had sought to shake Simon, to sift him like wheat.
When I think about sifting, I picture my mum using a sieve to shake flour. She shakes it thoroughly, separating the fine flour from the lumps. It’s such an intentional process, and in the same way, the devil’s sifting in our lives can feel relentless. He shakes our jobs, our finances, our families, and even our faith, trying to leave us broken and hopeless.
But look at Jesus’ prayer: He doesn’t pray for Simon to avoid the sifting. Instead, He prays that Simon’s faith would not fail. Why? Because faith is what holds us together through the shaking. Faith is the anchor that keeps us steady when everything around us is falling apart.
Jesus then gives Simon a powerful instruction: When you come back to me, strengthen your brothers. Jesus already knew that Simon would make it through the sifting. He already saw the restoration that Simon couldn’t yet see for himself. And once Simon was restored, he was to use his experience to encourage and strengthen others.
This passage resonates deeply with me. There have been times when life’s challenges have shaken me to the core—when finances were tight, relationships felt strained, or hope seemed distant. But even in those moments, my faith in God kept me standing. It wasn’t always easy, but it was enough to see me through.
If you feel like life is sifting you right now—maybe you’ve lost your job, your children are out of school due to fees, or you’re dealing with betrayal or loss—know this: Jesus is interceding for you. He’s praying that your faith will not fail. This season of shaking is not permanent. You will come out of it, and when you do, your testimony will be a source of strength for others.
Hold tightly to your faith. Jesus has already declared your restoration. Believe Him when He says, “When you come back to me.” It’s not a matter of if—it’s a matter of when. Let this promise encourage you today.
Have a blessed day! 🖤