Consider Peter here… Jesus calls him Simon instead of the name He gave him, the Rock, the one He would build His church on.
Satan has asked to sift them all like wheat. Peter and the others aren't even who God has intended for them to be. But they are on their journey, they are on their way. And it is noticed by Satan. How could he not see? And so like Job, he asks God if he can challenge them all. He can't see the future, but he has an inkling of an idea of what God could do through them.
"Can I put them through the wringer? Can I should you how weak they are? How they will fail you?"
He already had Judas. Why not go for the other eleven as well.
It seems to me that God said yes to this testing. Because Jesus says, “when you have turned back, strengthen your brethren."
Can you hear Jesus’ silent admission? You Peter, you are faithful. I know you’ll pass this test. I know that despite the stumble, you’ll be back.
Failure is never failure if it grows us. Failure cannot define us. Failure can only temporarily weaken us.
But failure can be meant to destroy us. It can be meant to be it our undoing. But the faithful, like Peter, find their way back. Stronger than before and then given the opportunity to strengthen others.
Consider Peter.
