[Luke 22, Proverbs 1]

H – Luke 22:31b–32, “[31] ……., Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, [32] but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

E – Failure Is Not Final!

There is no denying the enemies desire to bring a Christian down. There are so many instances throughout Scripture that point to this truth. John 10:10 describes the Enemy as a thief who only comes to kill, still, and destroy. 1 Peter 5:8 describes the Enemy as a roaring lion seeking to devour. The imagery used against the Satan could go on and on. We know who the enemy is, what he is like, and what his desire is for the Christian. 

And here is the truth – Sometimes we fail to his stinking schemes. But notice this, temporary failure does not have to be eternally final.

Jesus prayer for His disciples is that their faith would be greater than the deception around them. He prayed that their faith would not fail them. Imagine being completely clothed in Him and His armor, withstanding the schemes of the enemy. That’s Christ prayer for His. 

But remember the persistence of the Enemy. I can’t help but think of his temptations against Jesus himself. Luke 4:13, says, “And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.” The enemy consistently looks for an opportunity in which he can wreak havoc and sift us like wheat. Moments of weakness to pounce and destroy. 

However, there is Power given to us that the Enemy cannot overcome. Here is it – REPENTANCE.

Notice what Jesus says, I have prayed that your faith may not fail, but when it does TURN AGAIN. The word “turn again” means walking away from what has lead to the failure. It’s turning from sin and turning anew to Jesus. It’s reestablishing our Faith in Christ and surrendering to His primacy in our lives again and again and again. 

The life of Peter teaches that The Lord is truly a God of countless second chances. From denying to testifying, yep there is power in repentance and that makes failure not final. Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4). 

A – Live a Life of Repentance. Strengthen my faith in Him through daily surrender and learning from my failures. Testify of Christ and strengthen others. 

R – Lord God, thank you that my failure is not final because of my faith in you. Thank you for forgiveness. Lord I pray my faith would grow. I pray that I would allow your discipline to guide me in wisdom (Proverbs 1). Lord, help me to see the beauty of Repentance. Help me to know that my need for you is great than anything that deceives me away from that truth. Lord, help me to live today in light of your abundance and everything I do I would do it in remembrance of You. 

In Jesus Name!