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  • Our Journey Through The Valley (77)

    8 March, 2014

    If you are a regular reader of "Our Journey Through The Valley", you might recall the experience that I had in the wee small hours of the morning a couple of weeks ago.

    But then, in those early morning hours, I heard another voice. Not audible. A voice within my spirit that seemed to whisper, "Michael and Beverley, Satan has eagerly begged to sift each of you like wheat. But I have  prayed for you, that your faith should not fail. So, when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers". (A reflection based on Luke 22/31,32)

    These verses are proving to be rich in encouragement for us. I won't go over the last few blog entries but another dimension has emerged the more I have pondered them. To those previous reflections I want to add a further observation so far as the purpose of sifting is concerned.

    I expect that all of us have encountered times and seasons that make us feel like we are passing through a grinding mill. Peter was forewarned by Jesus that such a time was about to engulf him. You might recall that Peter's response was to declare his undying love for Jesus or, if the situation was sufficiently dangerous, his dying love.

    I don't know if Peter, at this early stage of his discipleship, was aware of the value of "the trials of faith" and the purpose they can serve in our lives. But he certainly had become aware by the time he wrote his first lettered! Luke records that Jesus prayed for Peter that his faith should not fail.

    However, the real purpose was to show what God can do through those tough times. Peter was told to, strengthen your brothers......" I   It is our own experience of tough times that often prepares us to care for and strengthen others.

    I now read Peter's letter through different lenses. This was the man who denied his Lord. This was the  man who went through incredible heart-pain. But this is the man who "turned again" and strengthened his brothers.

    Those two letters that bear his name are but one way in which he has fulfilled that very specific calling.

    We are praying that what we are now entering will prove to be a means of strengthening our fellow  believers. Please note the link between "trials" and "faith"

    So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while.   These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold — and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. (1 Peter 1:6-7)

     

     

     

     

     

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