Summer Fruit Devotion: Faithfulness Day 1

Sifted Faith

“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.” Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.” Luke 22:31-34

As much as we want to always do what is right and never fail as we follow Christ think of this, even one of his closest disciples denied him three time the night he was murdered. What I love about this passage is the way Jesus speaks to Peter, with such tenderness, knowing how Peter’s own heart would break after he betrayed him. After Jesus rose from the dead he ate breakfast with the disciples and spoke to Peter privately, confirming his choosing of Peter as a minister of the Gospel. Even though it was Satan’s design to cut him down, Peter’s unfaithfulness worked a special kind of humility in his life. After he denied Christ he knew he needed strength other than his own if he was to follow Christ faithfully. Incredibly it was Peter, full of the Holy Spirit, who preached at Pentecost and 3000 came to believe in Jesus as the Messiah that day. When you feel your faith slipping lean on Jesus and believe he will uphold you.

Journal time. Have you ever had a failure of faith? How did God use it to humble you and bring you back to an even stronger faith afterward?

Pray with me today. Heavenly Father, thank you for your love and tenderness toward us, even when we are of so little faith. Give us humble hearts to rely on your strength and not our own when you call us to display your faithfulness to a watching world that is just waiting for us to stumble. Thank you that Jesus prays for us and that your Holy Spirit strengthens our faith. In the tender and faithful name of Jesus we pray, Amen.