Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.”
There are certain times in our walk with the Lord that will include sifting. We will have trials, difficult moments and tests, all of which is part of God’s plan for our life. The sifting has a definite purpose.
The process:
In order to sift out the edible grain from the chaff , the wheat was thrown on the ground. This process is called threshing. The ground was most likely stone and the wheat was beaten with a flail. A flail consisted of a metal rod with chains on the end. Sometimes the flail had a ball with spikes. The word itself means to strike with repeated blows.
The next step in sifting is called winnowing. Here the workers would throw the wheat into the air and the breeze would separate the chaff from the grain. The grain which was heavier would land back on the stone floor, and the chaff would be taken by the breeze. The chaff would land farther from the original stone.
If you notice, Jesus identified Peter as wheat and not chaff. He knew that he would land on the stone or rock, and be fruitful once the process ended.
Sifting is important for several reasons. We are purged from self, from pride, and we learn not to rely on ourselves but on God. The chaff in our life will be removed.
When the sifting is complete, we will be strong enough to encourage and strengthen our brothers and sisters in the Lord, and move onto greater and mightier things.
Peter was shaken, tossed, beaten in his faith, but guess what. He landed on the rock, even when he denied Jesus three times.
Perhaps you have had a time in your life where you feel that you have been beaten repeatedly, and then tossed into the air. Just like Peter, you too will land on the rock!
One thing is certain, the sifting ended and the work was complete in Peter.
May the sifting come to an end, and may you rise up in what the Lord has for you, which is His good and perfect will for your life.
May you be richly blessed this day.
Good teaching Yvette. Precise, clear, true and bringing it right to the point.
Sifting.. makes us better or bitter. I choose better!
That was a good explanation of the sifting process. Our submission to God’s calling is the “breeze” that takes away the chaff from our lives. Good post. God bless!
I choose better over bitter any day!
Blessings Lori
Thank you for this devotional. The Lord spoke to me clearly through this. I like the fact you pointed out that Jesus called Peter “wheat”. That was like assurance given that he was safe and belonged to the Lord inspite of his failings. What an amazing article.
Blessings
Sid
Thank you Sid,
blessings to you
Amen and Amen, We Pray that the Lord refines and purify us for His Holy Use.
I love the explanation, simple and straightforward as always.
God bless
Oh yes, I believe we get sifted in our lives. Some of us accept our “calling with gladness” while some try and ignore it (which does not work). I am glad you accepted your calling in life. I am glad God allowed our paths to cross. Love you Yvette.
IJ and Valerie,
thank you for your comments. Know that you are both appreciated very much.