When God Grants Permission

Luke 22:31> “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat.”

       Have you ever felt picked on by Satan? Like he has just pinpointed you to beat up? I think we all have. If you are a child of God, well, then I know you have!! Satan doesn’t like what he sees in God’s children. He has made it his job to try to destroy us. He does not want God’s kingdom to grow. The best way to keep that from happening is to do some sifting.

     In sifting wheat, vigorous shaking is required to separate wheat kernels from debris, or trash. Vigorous shaking; that doesn’t mean like shaking a ketchup bottle to get the last bit out of it for your hamburger. Nope! It’s not even like a washing machine shakes your entire house when it is off balance with towels in it. Even though both examples are pretty vigorous, it is still not the same. Satan’s vigorous shaking is pretty intense. There are times you start to wonder if you are even going to survive. You may even get to the point that you wish you wouldn’t.
     Boy have I been sifted a few times. One time I found myself crumbled on the floor in a pool of tears and “snot” (I know that’s gross but how else do you say it?). It was intense! I had totally given up. I had fought so hard for something important and right before my eyes it was crumbling. That moment it didn’t matter if I died. I was beaten up. I felt like my insides were waving a white flag of surrender. I was so tired of the pain. I wanted it to stop. If Satan could ever be happy he most definitely was then.
     It took several years and alone time with God to understand Romans 8:28>”And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” I had read that verse many times but it took a while for it to become personal. My vigorous shaking had become an “all things”. Boy did knowing that ease a load. It took years for me to understand it but still it eased a load.
     The other morning, during my personal Bible study time, Luke 22:31 came to life for me! “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat.” It may as well have read, “Vonda, Vonda, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.” I teared up and could’ve jumped a tall building in a single bounce!! My heart felt so light! I cannot explain the pure joy that verse meant to me! Why? Simple!! If Satan has asked the Lord if he can SIFT US AS WHEAT, and in ALL THINGS GOD WORKS FOR THE GOOD OF THOSE WHO LOVE HIM, WHO HAVE BEEN CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE, then we can certainly believe Jeremiah 29:11>”FOR I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU”, DECLARES THE LORD, “PLANS TO PROSPER YOU AND NOT TO HARM YOU, PLANS TO GIVE YOU HOPE AND A FUTURE.” If we need to be vigorously shaken and it be for our good, then you can rest assured God has a plan! His answer to Satan will be, “I give you permission.” Satan can’t do it unless God says he can. And if God says he can then He has a purpose!!

In awe of Him,

Vonda

 

**Heavenly Father, how we praise You! We thank You Lord for the plan that You have for us. Help us to hold tight to the truth that in all things, that means the bad things as well, You are working for our good. We ask that You bring to our remembrance that even in the times that we are the most bruised and beat up, Satan cannot sift us without Your permission. Thank You Lord for loving us enough to get rid of the debris, the trash in us. What Satan meant for evil You mean for good. It is in Your most Holy Name that we pray, Amen.

 

REMEMBER!!!! If Satan is shaking you vigorously it is only because God allowed it. If He allowed it then that means He’s got a plan and it is a good one!