Our Intercessor

How would you like to hear that the devil has been asking for you by name? Luke’s gospel tells of the occasion when Satan came after Simon Peter. Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat . . .” (Luke 22:31). I don’t know about you, but if I had been sitting around with Jesus and He said that to me, it would be cause for great concern.

But then Jesus told him, “But I have prayed for you” (Luke 22:32). Our Savior has already laid down His life for us, and He intercedes for us still. A passage that every Christian should commit to memory is 1 Corinthians 10:13: “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” Allow me to loosely paraphrase: God won’t give you more than you can handle. There is always a way out.

Jesus will not let some temptation come your way that will overwhelm you against your will. But if you put yourself in the way of temptation—in a place where you know you are weak—and then fall into sin, don’t blame God. Because He won’t give you more than you can handle. He will provide a way out. But you have to take it.