“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.” – Luke 22:31-32
Note carefully the dynamic Jesus describes in these verses. Satan demanded to test the followers of Jesus. God permitted it. Jesus prayed for Peter’s faith to withstand the test and prepared him for life on the other side of the test. It’s both fascinating and insightful!
God is completely sovereign and has all power. However, He permits His people to be tested by Satan to demonstrate and strengthen their faith. God is all good and doesn’t tempt anyone, but in His sovereign power and wisdom, He recognizes that what Satan intends for evil can actually turn out for the good. Therefore, God permits His people to be tested. Is their faith authentic? They’ll only know AFTER being tested. Can their faith withstand the terrible blows of the Evil One? They’ll only know AFTER being tested. So God permits the testing, knowing that for those who truly are His people, the testing will strengthen and solidify their faith, unlocking confidence and power to serve His Kingdom with greater impact.
God allows Satan to make Peter so afraid he denies even knowing Jesus. Jesus doesn’t intervene to prevent that test. He knows it’s coming and He knows that Peter will fail the test in the near term. Rather than prevent the test, Jesus prays for Peter’s faith. He prays that even after humiliating and heartbreaking failure, Peter won’t retreat from his faith but grow in it. So Jesus prays for Peter’s faith and tells him that once he’s repented of his failure and been strengthened by painful testing, he is to lead and encourage other believers.
While it would be very pleasant if your faith was never tested, that isn’t actually the best thing for you or your faith. Expect that Satan will test your faith. Expect that he’ll sow doubt in your mind and confusion in your life. Expect that he’ll traffic in fear or pain to try and get you to reject your Lord. Know that during that testing, Jesus is praying for you. He is with you. He is in you. Know too, that on the other side of the test, once you have passed, Jesus has prepared important and encouraging work for you to do. Expect the test. Endure the test in Christ. Pass the test for Him!