Daily Devo

Sifted

By: Mae Archila

Friday, March 27, 2026

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32

I was recently baking, which required me to sift some of the dry ingredients. That's when God reminded me how I've been going through some sifting of my own. Sifting is like a strainer; it separates any hidden impurities to obtain a better final product. Yes, I've felt shaken and sifted as a writer, a caregiver, and wife, and also in my personal time with God.

But Christ followers must expect to be sifted and shaken. It's a process God uses to refine us, and like Peter, it's where our faith gets tested. Satan wanted to sift Peter "as wheat,” and he may try to do the same thing with us; shake our faith forcefully, hoping it will cause us to fail. But if we're well-connected to Jesus, He'll warn us and protect us, just like He did for Peter. Satan's testing helped Peter’s faith grow, and it helped him be more aware of the devil's schemes.

Christ followers must endure many hardships to enter God's Kingdom (Acts 14:22). But God allows and uses these experiences for our good (Romans 8:28). Why? To "sift" our character and strengthen our faith. But we must remember God doesn't sift us to punish us; He allows the sifting so we'll become more like His Son (Romans 8:29).

Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. Psalm 62:2

Satan opposes every moment we spend with God. He knows when we read and studying the scriptures, we're becoming more like Christ. The more we spiritually mature, the bigger threat we are to Satan's influence in the world. Satan also knows the strongest believer can fail because our human flesh is weak.

Peter failed when he denied Jesus, but God used Peter's failure to strengthen his faith. The compassion and forgiveness Jesus showed Peter helped increase Peter's compassion and mercy for others. Later, Peter would use his strengthened faith to teach and encourage others. Jesus knew that Peter was an ordinary man, so He interceded to God on Peter's behalf. He's ready, able, and willing to do the same thing for us!

When the shaking in your life seems fierce, remember that your Savior is always faithful. He will never let you go!