Living with Assurance

Luke 22:31-32

Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 
But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. 
And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.

This is the memory verse for my high schoolers this week. I especially like this verse because you can put your own name in place of Simon's, and you'll know that Jesus is praying for you, that he has your back. "Katie, Katie," "Will, Will," and so on. Isn't that such a reassuring thought? Since it is Jesus who is praying for me, for us, his prayer is powerful and will give us the strength to resist Satan. 

Also, he tells us to strengthen our brothers when we come back to his side. There is no condemnation, no reason to feel guilty for having wavered or backsliding. In fact, I think he is encourage us to use our journey to encourage others, who may or may not be on a similar journey. 

We all know what happened after this; Simon Peter denied Jesus on the night he was taken. But, he also became such a powerful apostle, such a faithful follower. What a testimony! I only hope that I can have such a story, that even though I've been going through a bit of a dry spell, that it can somehow, someday, be turned around and serve as an encouragement to others.