Awaken The Dawn

The Eternal Intercession

Job’s story is being re-enacted as Satan claims the right to sift Simon Peter like wheat. 15 We get the full dynamics of Satan’s request when we look at more than one transla- tion of this verse:

Satan hath desired to have you: King James Version Satan demanded to have you: Revised Standard Version Satan has claimed the right to sift you all like wheat: James Moffatt Translation Satan has received permission to test all of you: Today’s English Version Satan has been given leave to sift: New English Bible

Although God allows Satan to make his requests and afflict woes upon His people, He is not really incited or provoked into such permission. Jesus understands that this is standard operating procedure at this present time. God will be best glorified, Jesus knows, by allowing Satan to do his worst. The Church is meant to triumph under the most trying and difficult circumstances—not the best of times. Jesus knows, through His communion with the Father, that His ancient foe is bent on undermining the faith of Peter and the other disciples. How does Jesus pray? He intercedes with the Father that Peter’s faith will not fail, and that he will be enabled to strengthen the brethren. This is the essence of Jesus’ pre- sent intercession in heaven. Much of Jesus’ earthly praying, I am persuaded, was that the faith of the disciples would not fail the inevitable

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