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Now, what the Lord said to Peter, He still virtually says to all His people: "I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not." When Mrs. Winslow was bereaved of an affectionate husband, deprived of fortune, and in a strange land, and friends far away, "The enemy," she said, "seemed to sift me as wheat. I would steal away and weep in agony, for I lost my hold and confidence in Him who had said, 'I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.'" This buffeting of the adversary, however, was but for a season, for afterwards, through the helpful grace of her Lord, her faith revived, and she was able to say, "He is all and everything He said He would be. He is my joy by night and by day, my stay in trouble, my strength in weakness, the lifter-up of my head, my portion for ever. God be praised! God be praised!" Not less touching is the recorded conflict and triumph of a young disciple. A Christian mother, not long ago, finding, as she sat beside her dying boy, that Satan had been dealing with him, said, "Does he ever trouble you, George?" "Oh yes; he has been very busy with me, especially when I have been weak, telling me I was too great a sinner and could not be saved." "And what did you say?" "I told him I had a great Saviour"; and then he added, "I think the tempter is nearly done with me now." Some weeks before his death he had been saying, "There is light in the valley"; and turning to his mother, he said very solemnly, "Ah, it would be a dark valley without a light!" On the last day of his life she said to. him, " Is there light in the valley now, George?" "Oh, yes, yes!" And when further asked, "Is Satan done with you now?" "Well, I think he is almost. He is lurking near, however; but Jesus is nearer."

(R. Macdonald, D. D.)

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KJV: And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

WEB: The Lord said, "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat,