Facing our Adversary

Luke 2:31-32, "“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. 32 But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” (NLT)

I was reading some words from the pen of John Maxwell this morning and these verses came into my mind. Each of us need to remember that we face an adversary that seeks to either overthrow our faith or undermine our faith. The enemy will attempt to hinder and stop our walk with Christ and he will use whatever tactic that he can find to accomplish that goal.

Jesus shared a "spiritual alert" with Peter and the other disciples so that they could be on the lookout for the upcoming attempts of satan. Our local community is under a "Winter Weather Advisory" for tomorrow and into the early part of Thursday. That means that there is a real possibility that we will see some winter weather in our immediate future. Jesus is broadcasting a "Spiritual Advisory" to His followers. Jesus is saying to them, "Beware, there is a real possibility that satan will come after you but also remember that I am praying for you and even when you get knocked off your feet you will get up again and resume your journey." 

Read the words of John Maxwell: Austin O'Malley said, "The fact that you have been knocked down is interesting, but the length of time you remain down is important." In life, you will have problems. Are you going to give up and stay down, wallowing in your defeat, or are you going to get back on your feet as quickly as you can?

When you fall, make the best of it and get back on your feet. Learn what you can from your mistake, and then get back in the game. View your errors the way Henry Ford did his. He said, "Failure is the opportunity to begin again more intelligently."

I believe that Jesus is simply saying to those disciples that you may be knocked down and knocked around but you are not knocked out.