Evening, January 11
Go To Morning Reading
“I have prayed for thee.”
Luke 22:32
How encouraging is the thought of the Redeemer’s never- ceasing intercession for us. When we pray, he pleads for
us; and when we are not praying, he is advocating our cause, and by his supplications shielding
us from unseen dangers. Notice the word of comfort addressed to Peter—“Simon, Simon, Satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you
as wheat; but”—what? “But go and pray for yourself.” That would be good advice, but it is not so written. Neither does
he say, “But I will keep you watchful, and so you shall be preserved.” That were a great blessing. No, it is, “ But I have prayed for thee , that thy faith fail not.” We little know what we owe to our Saviour’s prayers. When we reach the hill-tops of heaven, and look back upon
all the way whereby the Lord our God hath led us, how we shall praise
him who, before the eternal throne, undid the mischief which Satan
was doing upon earth. How shall we thank him because he never held
his peace, but day and night pointed to the wounds upon his hands,
and carried our names upon his breastplate! Even before Satan had
begun to tempt, Jesus had forestalled him and entered a plea in heaven.
Mercy outruns malice. Mark, he does not say, “Satan hath desired to have you.” He checks Satan even in his very desire, and nips it in the bud.
He does not say, “But I have desired to pray for you.” No, but “I have prayed for you: I have done it already; I have gone to court and
entered a counterplea even before an accusation is made.” O Jesus, what a comfort it is that thou hast pleaded our cause against our unseen enemies; countermined their mines,
and unmasked their ambushes. Here is a matter for joy, gratitude,
hope, and confidence.