Sifting
I know earlier I talked in an earlier entry about the whole word about the sifting of the saints. Well the Lord has gave me more understanding concerning the whole thing, it has given me peace and actually a heart of gratitude concerning the whole process which is a huge breakthrough for me.
Luke 22:31 says "simon simon satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith not fail and when thou art converted, strengthen the brethren."
This sounds like a terrifying process and can make you question the goodness of God. But recently as the Lord has been showing me about the purifying process and preparation process it makes perfect since why such a process is quite necessary to go into the depths that He has called us to. After Isaih was purged then he was able to hear the Lord properly and hear the call and be sent (Is 6). Even Esther went through a whole long preparation process, but that was quite necessary for her to meet the king. Just as the process is quite necessary for us to meet the king. her submission saved a whole generation, could our submission do the same in this hour? Yes. Because of her submission to the preparation process she became irrisistable to the king, he had the sceptor extended for her. When we submit to the Lord and to His will no matter the cost we come our purified like Esther. She went into the most inner parts of the royal court and we can too if we submit. His sceptor is continually extended to His people. He wants us to come all the way in.
Anyways, concerning the sifting process, the Lord reminded me of Job. Alot of people find the story rather depressing I know that I have always found it depressing. It also made me upset with the Lord for all that Job went through when he was an upright man. But after this weekend the Lord is begining to remove the veil off of my eyes that has kept me from understanding a message that He was trying to convey. Job 1 says that one day satan came before the Lord after traveling to and fro throughout the earth, that is when God asked him if he had seen Job who God described as there being no one else like him in all of the earth, that he was a perfect and upright man. Satan replied in so many words that the reason Job honored the Lord was bc the Lord had his hand of blessing on him but if he took it off then Job would not love him. Basically satan was saying, Job only loves what you can do for him he doesnt really love you, I bet if I strike him he will curse you." But God had so much faith in Job that He allowed satan to have his way. God was confident in Jobs love for him and I think that He probaly was happy to rub it in satans face bc satan desires to get back at God by robbing him of the love of His people. Anyways the story from that revelation took on a whole new outlook for me. I pray that I will not fail in my love for Him, may my heart not grow cold in the hand of affliction but remain burning with zeal and love for my maker.
Luke 22:31 says "simon simon satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith not fail and when thou art converted, strengthen the brethren."
This sounds like a terrifying process and can make you question the goodness of God. But recently as the Lord has been showing me about the purifying process and preparation process it makes perfect since why such a process is quite necessary to go into the depths that He has called us to. After Isaih was purged then he was able to hear the Lord properly and hear the call and be sent (Is 6). Even Esther went through a whole long preparation process, but that was quite necessary for her to meet the king. Just as the process is quite necessary for us to meet the king. her submission saved a whole generation, could our submission do the same in this hour? Yes. Because of her submission to the preparation process she became irrisistable to the king, he had the sceptor extended for her. When we submit to the Lord and to His will no matter the cost we come our purified like Esther. She went into the most inner parts of the royal court and we can too if we submit. His sceptor is continually extended to His people. He wants us to come all the way in.
Anyways, concerning the sifting process, the Lord reminded me of Job. Alot of people find the story rather depressing I know that I have always found it depressing. It also made me upset with the Lord for all that Job went through when he was an upright man. But after this weekend the Lord is begining to remove the veil off of my eyes that has kept me from understanding a message that He was trying to convey. Job 1 says that one day satan came before the Lord after traveling to and fro throughout the earth, that is when God asked him if he had seen Job who God described as there being no one else like him in all of the earth, that he was a perfect and upright man. Satan replied in so many words that the reason Job honored the Lord was bc the Lord had his hand of blessing on him but if he took it off then Job would not love him. Basically satan was saying, Job only loves what you can do for him he doesnt really love you, I bet if I strike him he will curse you." But God had so much faith in Job that He allowed satan to have his way. God was confident in Jobs love for him and I think that He probaly was happy to rub it in satans face bc satan desires to get back at God by robbing him of the love of His people. Anyways the story from that revelation took on a whole new outlook for me. I pray that I will not fail in my love for Him, may my heart not grow cold in the hand of affliction but remain burning with zeal and love for my maker.