November 5, 2024 - Luke 22:31-32a

“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.” Luke 22:31-32a NLT

Lord, I find this verse interesting. We would love to believe that as you have promised to protect us, that when Satan asks to sift us that you would always tell him, “No”. I am sure there are times when you do. But we see in this verse that there are other times when you allow it. Help us to see the sifting as the beautiful thing you mean it to be. When wheat is sifted, the hard outer shell is broken and removed away from the wheat. That shell was meant to protect the wheat as it grew, but if it doesn’t lose that shell, then it can’t be used to make bread. Once it is sifted and then crushed, you can use it for its real purpose - to nourish people. If we don’t go through the sifting and crushing, we won’t be able to fulfill the purposes that you have for us.

Lord, we praise you that you are a master baker and even if you allow Satan to sift us, you oversee the whole process. You will not allow him to go too far. You make sure that the process makes us stronger and ready for your purposes. You are right there with us, interceding for us, as your hands are graciously kneading us. You want to see us stand in faith and trust what you are doing in our lives. You want to see us push into you and allow the process to grow our relationship with you stronger. When we allow it to push us away from you and your healing hands, it only drags out the process and the pain. It keeps us from you and our purpose. Lord, help us to learn to embrace the sifting seasons in our lives and press into you. Do what you need to do to transform us into the most delicious and nourishing bread to those around us that are starving for you. Use us, our Lord. Let your will be done.

In Jesus name, amen.