3-Truths From Jesus for Us-Part 3 Jesus is Praying for Us - We Have Everything We Need

Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Romans 8:34 (NKJV)

We are looking at a 3-part devotional series titled, "3-Truths From Jesus for Us."  The 3-truths we have been given are derived from Luke 22:31-32 where we see Jesus speaking to Simon Peter about his future.  Jesus warns Peter, "Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat," and then gives him an assurance when He tells Peter, "But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail."

In Parts 1 & 2, we learned our first two truths given to us from Jesus within this set of Scriptures concerning our lives, and they are:

1.    God knows everything the future holds.
2.    Satan has to ask the permission of God to come against us.

So, let's take a look at the 3rd truth Jesus gave to Peter and to us in Luke 22:31-32 to equip us for the temptations we face.

3.    Jesus prays for us.

Imagine being a new student and walking onto the High School campus.  You're the new kid in town, and no one really knows you - it can be very intimidating at the least, and very threatening at worst.  But what if you knew one person, and he just happened to be the toughest, biggest, strongest, and smartest person on the whole campus?  Suddenly it wouldn't be so bad would it?

Well, this is exactly what we have going for us as Christian believers and children of God.  We have Jesus looking out for us - making sure we are protected and taken care of.  

Q:    How Does Jesus defend us as Christian believers?
A:    He prays so we are equipped with everything needed.

In Romans 8:34, we are told of Jesus sitting at the right hand side of the Father - making intercession on behalf of every saint.  

And in this set of verses we have been studying, we see Jesus praying for Peter so he would have sufficient faith not to fail in his time of testing.

But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren. Luke 22:32 (NKJV)

This is Huge!  This means we can know with total assurance we've been given enough faith to not fail.  When you really think about it, this shouldn't be such a surprise to us.  We are told in Ephesians 2:8-9 about this as well.  In those set of verses, were told, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."

So, the faith to believe in Jesus Christ is a gift from God.  This means we can't muster up enough faith to believe on our own.  So to see Jesus telling Peter, "I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail," is just another example of this faith being given by God.  We can know with confidence we will have the faith to stand fast in the midst of attacks, and the faith to continue to walk forward when we don't see any possible way through a problem.  

But we still have to do our part of exercising this faith, because we cannot be strengthen in our faith by any other means other than trials. 

I want to look at one last thing in this passage of Scripture of Luke 22:31-32.  Note what Jesus says to Peter at the very end.  He tells Peter, I have prayed for you that your faith should not fail, but then continues with this,  "and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren."

Q:    Why is this part of this verse so significant?

A:    Because it affirms God's knowledge of Peter's choice in the future.  

God knew Peter would fail in his faith, and He also knew Peter would come back.  It is the same with us - God knows when we are going to fail, and when we will return.  And when we return, we are to take the lessons from our failures and help others by encouraging them so they might not make the same mistakes.  Jesus tells us, "Strengthen your brethren."

Hey Christian, I want to encourage you today.  Maybe there is something you need to lay down at the feet of God today - something in your past you've not dealt with yet.  Let today be the day to come back to Jesus.  Let Him welcome you back.  Let Him cleanse your failures.  Let Him help others through your experience.  

STUDY QUESTION: What can we see within the Scriptures contained within this devotional with respect to Jesus intervening for us?

PERSONAL INVENTORY: Do you realize Jesus is interceding for you in every area of your life?  It is his will for you to have unfailing faith, so you need to know you're equipped.

APPLICATION: The next time you feel ill equipped to face a trial, seek the Lord for His power and strength.  Now keep walking regardless of what you may think of your abilities.