Unfailing Faith

But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren. Luke 22:32 (NKJV)

Quiet moments allow us to relax and relive some current events. I like to sit on the couch with a cup of coffee and stare out the window. Thoughts of family and friends immediately come to mind and I begin to utter prayers for them as I recall circumstances in their lives. Occasionally I think of someone who has turned away from God and wonder what events in their life changed the path they were on. Will they ever return to their faith and walk with God again? Will they accept the mercy and grace that awaits them?

Recently I read Luke 22:31-34 and it stopped me in my tracks. I could not get the message out of my thoughts. In the passage before this, Jesus was trying to tell His disciples His death and resurrection was near. They, on the other hand, were bickering about who was greatest among them. "Simon, Simon!" the Lord said. "Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."

Jesus had to repeat (Simon) Peter's given name twice in order to get his attention. Peter heard because he answered Jesus very confidently. "Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death." Jesus went on to predict that Peter would deny Him three times before the next sunrise, and he did.

Satan is alive and at work. He would love to grind our faith into tiny grains so that it would blow away with a breath of air. Are we too occupied with our own concerns to hear what God is trying to tell us? Every day we face tests and God is praying for us! He wants our faith to carry us through. Jesus prayed that Peter's faith would not fail and knew Peter would return to Him. We will fail at times, but will we let that failure bring an end our faith? Or, will we return to our faith in Christ?

Also, we cannot miss the fact that Jesus told Peter to strengthen others. Share your stories of trials and failures, and express the peace and joy that comes from a renewed relationship with your Father in heaven. If your faith has failed, ask God to forgive you today and begin again a faith that endures! God is waiting for you to return to Him.

"It is better to be a follower who fails than one who fails to follow." Tyndale

Lord, thank you for praying for Peter, and for all of us, that our faith would not fail. We need Your help daily as we encounter tests of our faith and strive to follow you. Amen

Janet Stutzman