The Shifting Process
As Jesus approached His final day before the cross, He told Peter that Satan had requested permission to sift him. (Luke 22.31) It is important to note here that Satan couldn’t touch Peter without the Lord’s permission. Job, too, was tested by Satan, but first needed God’s permission. Does it bother you that the Lord gave Satan permission to sift their lives? Many question the Lord’s goodness during the sifting process. Our perception of goodness is often limited to what feels good or what we desire to happen in our lives, but God knows what is good for us and what is needed to mold us into His image and to become all that He intended us to be.
In the sifting process, the chaff is separated from the grain. The chaff has no consistency and thus rises to the top. The wind then takes it away and the good grain remains. You can only make bread with the grain, not with the chaff. The chaff is like the flesh that wars against the Spirit. The little, bad attitudes, the hurtful words, the lustful glances, the covetous desires, are like the little foxes that spoil the vine, (Song of Solomon 2.15), or the fly in the ointment, (Ecc. 10.1). We might think that it is such a little thing, that it is just part of being human and that we should just sweep it under the carpet and go on, but God knows what the long term effect would be of just a little leaven in our lives. God desires the best for us, so He gives permission to the sifter to bring the hidden evil to the surface.
There was a time in Israel when a single man, Sheba, rose up in rebellion against King David. It was shortly after the rebellion of Absalom and the kingdom was in disarray. King David knew that he had to deal severely with this man or the effect would be worse that what happen with Absalom. Joab, the head of the army, went after this rebel and found him hiding in the city of Abel of Beth-maacah. This city was known for being a mother in Israel. It had a reputation of wise council and being peaceful, but now rebellion had entered within her walls. This traitor had brought with him a curse and the city was about to be sifted. The problem was just one man, but the danger of destruction was on the whole city. Just one undealt with sin can bring ruin to the whole.
Jesus told Peter that Satan demanded to have him so that he could sift him. His plan is to steal, kill and destroy, but the Lord’s will prevails. He told Peter that He would pray for him, so that he would not be destroyed, but rather purified. The Lord’s desire was that Peter pass the test and come through the fire as pure gold. Through intercession Peter’s faith was secured and though he fell, he would get up again to give glory to God and become a faithful witness of His grace. In the town of Abel Beth-maacah, there was also a faithful intercessor. A woman, of whom we know little about, called out to Joab, reminding him of the cities’ past faithfulness. Joab responded by telling her to take out the leaven and the city would be saved. She did so aggressively by cutting off Sheba’s head and throwing it from the wall down to Joab.
God does not desire to destroy the righteous with the wicked, just as He does not desire the grain to be taken away with the chaff. Paul told Timothy that if he would take out the dishonorable vessels from the house and keep only the holy, then that person would be ready “for every good work”. (II Tim. 2.20-21) Jesus, our Intercessor, is standing in the gap so that we would come out as pure gold.
Scriptures to meditate on:
I Cor. 3.12-15; Luke 22.31; Rom. 9.6; Job 1.6-12; Amos 9.9; Heb. 7.25
Very good thoughts and so true. Thank you!