January 22

Luke 22:31-32 (NIV)
31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.
32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

Judas had already been indwelt by satan. The leaders of the Jews are controlled or influenced by spirits of jealousy, pride, religion and others. Simon (Peter) is now going to be confronted by a frontal assault. All this makes sense since the leaders rejected Jesus, Judas was a thief and a deceiver, and Peter has pride as well meaning as he is. There are two things we must see; first satan needed permission to assault Peter and he got it. Second, even though Peter’s faith took a down turn, it didn’t fail – he came back from it – because Jesus was praying for him. It is the same with us!

Luke 22:35-36 (NIV)
35 Then Jesus asked them, “When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?” “Nothing,” they answered.
36 He said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.

Notice that Jesus changed it up here. Before no bags, now get your bags. We can’t put God in some box. There is a time to be without and totally trust Him for provision and there is a time to take the provision that we already have and already see and use it. We need to have both experiences in life! Will you submit to each?