April 4. God strengthens us through others. Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you

that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.

And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers, Luke 22, 31, and 32.

What about the other 10 apostles not counting Judas? Satan was going to sift them, too.

Did Jesus pray for them? Yes, he did, but he did not ask the Father to guard their faith

in the very same way he guarded Peter's. God broke the back of Peter's pride and

self-reliance that night in the agony of Satan s siv, but he did not let him go.

He turned him around and forgave him and restored him and strengthened his faith. And now

it was Peter s mission to strengthen the other 10. And when you have turned again, strengthen

your brothers. Jesus provided for the 10 by providing for Peter. The strengthened

becomes the strengthener. There is a great lesson here for us. Sometimes God will deal with you

directly, strengthening your faith alone in the wee hours of the morning when everyone else

is asleep. But most of the time, we might say 10-elevenths of the time. God strengthens our faith

through another person. God sends us some Simon Peter who brings us just the word of grace we need

to keep on in the faith. Some testimony about how weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with

the morning. Some 30-5. Eternal security is a community project. Whenever God encourages your heart

with the promise that in Satan sifting your faith will not fail, then take that encouragement

and double your joy by using it to strengthen your brothers and sisters with the very strength

with which you have been strengthened.