By John A. Huffman, Jr.
Even the temptation of Jesus stands as an example of how you and I can handle temptation. What was painful for Him is encouraging to us.
Take the example in contemporary times of Joni Eareckson Tada, a quadraplegic. That woman has been sifted. I'll assure you that what is left is the stuff of the highest quality! I take encouragement from her. She says that if God simply stripped away from Christians any struggles, any difficulties, what kind of a witness would we be? It is how we handle the difficulty that tells the world the difference that Jesus Christ makes in a life.
Peter's own temporary lapse, in spite of his determination to be faithful to His Lord, brings nothing but encouragement to me as I struggle with what it is to be faithful to my Savior. The sifting that I go through can be encouraging to you. The sifting that you go through can be encouraging to another if you claim the help of the Lord. The help may be His forgiveness wherein you have fallen. The help may be the strength not to fall.
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Charles Haddon Spurgeon says it so beautifully. "The temptations of a minister may be one of the best books in his library because it helps him to understand others and others then to understand that they too can go through temptation and suffering, seeing the example of their pastor."
He goes on to say that a parent may need affliction, for what parent without trials can give good counsel to a tempted, struggling child? Spurgeon adds to it the observation that the more public a Christian is, the more need there is for even greater discipline, so that the very difficulty and roughness of our way can help others to see the glory of Christ's sufficiency.
Peter had to be put through Satan's sieve. What makes us think we can escape?
Truth three: Jesus is praying for you, that your faith may not fail.That's right. Jesus said it to Peter. "... But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail." Jesus knows you better than you know yourself. He is prepared to follow through on you.
How special it is to know that Jesus Himself prays for us. Scriptures teach us that He sitteth now on the right hand of God the Father Almighty, making intercession for us.
Let me tell you what His prayer for you is. It is that your faith fail not. If your faith fails, everything fails. It is the faith He gives you that presents you with the courage you need. It is faith that is the source of the patience to go through whatever you are going through. It is faith that gives you hope. It is faith that enables you to love even those who have aspects to them that are unlovely. It is faith that provides joy even in the midst of sorrow and difficulty.
For God's sake and yours, don't begin to doubt simply because you are tempted. We are told in advance that we will be tempted. Let's not be surprised when we are.
Truth four: You are privileged to turn back to Jesus.A "come back" is a big thing in athletics. It is something even bigger in the spiritual life.