Genesis 4:7b had a profound effect on me, and I could not let go of it. It seeped right into my core almost instantly after I read it. It says, "But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it." (Emphasis mine) Right after reading that, I read of Cain killing his brother Abel. Even after being warned, Cain did not heed the warning. Sin mastered him, and he did not fight it. Oh sadly we do that far too often. I am ashamed to admit how many times I've fallen.
I couldn't let go of that verse, and then this morning, while doing my devotions, I received this:
Luke 22:31-32
"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers."
Can I tell you that I broke down in tears? It was as if Jesus was speaking directly to me, and as I read it I heard, "Michelle, Michelle, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail;and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." I saw Jesus as I read those words, and He looked sad. I saw Satan, standing before God, demanding permission to sift me, just as He stood before God & asked to do the same thing to Job. And I saw the faith & confidence of Christ, as I realized that he knew I would turn back. I knew for sure that I would come through this sifting and that Jesus wanted me to encourage & strengthen you, my brothers & sisters. I felt so many things, all at one time, but the thing I felt most was that my purpose was clear. I was made for this. Just as God knew that Cain would kill Abel and Jesus knew that Peter would deny Him, He also knew that I would give in to my sin of gluttony, and that I would fall many times. He also knew, however, that I would get up again, because Jesus Himself was praying for me. Jesus Himself stood at the right hand of God in proxy for ME! A lowly sinner! Oh how undeserving I am! Yet Jesus had faith in ME! He knew I would turn back from my sin! There was a confidence in His words that I never received before. Jesus had asked ME to strengthen my brothers! Suddenly, this trial was no longer a defeat to me. Suddenly, this bondage I have been in became a blessing. Suddenly I felt my chains fall off & I was free! Satan had a hold on me for so long, I never received the freedom that is in Christ. I was reminded of what Joseph said in Genesis 50:20, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." It became clearer than ever to me, something my Spirit has been testifying to me for so long, yet I, like Cain, would just not hear it. Satan asked to sift me as wheat, and God did allow it. God's desire was to prove to Satan that through it all I would remain faithful. Satan sought to destroy me, but Jesus Himself stood before the Father & presented me as blameless, because I was covered by His blood. The picture is just so clear for me now. It's amazing how 1 verse of scripture can come so alive for you and suddenly change the way you see things. I've read that verse many times before, yet it never hit me as hard as it did this day. The confidence of Christ in me, well...it just makes things different. I cannot let Him down. I don't want to be like Cain, who did not heed the warning regarding the enemy. I want to be like Peter, who once was in denial, but then after he learned the truth devoted His life to strengthening God's people. Even though He denied Christ, Jesus said to Peter in Matthew 16:18-19, " And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Jesus gave Peter power! And it was Peter to whom He entrusted His church! Peter! The one who denied Him!
Oh my brothers & sisters, this is great news! What a great revelation to us! Why would Satan waste his time sifting us if we were not worth sifting? Why would he try to take us away from Christ if we were not going to do mighty things in His name? We need no glory of our own, we are but sinful people, but through us, we can bring glory to God!
Take up your swords, a new day has dawned! Keep your eyes on Christ, and don't take them off of Him, for He will lead us into victory! In the words of Arthur Sullivan,
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
Forward into battle see His banners go!
At the sign of triumph Satan’s host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
Brothers lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.
Like a mighty army moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we,
One in hope and doctrine, one in charity.
What the saints established that I hold for true.
What the saints believèd, that I believe too.
Long as earth endureth, men the faith will hold,
Kingdoms, nations, empires, in destruction rolled.
Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
But the church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never gainst that church prevail;
We have Christ’s own promise, and that cannot fail.
Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud and honor unto Christ the King,
This through countless ages men and angels sing.
God Bless you as you fight the good fight!!!
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