July 24, Jesus keeps his sheep. Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you that he might sift

you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned

again, strengthen your brothers, Luke 22, 31 and 32. Though Peter in fact failed miserably by

denying Jesus three times, the prayer of Jesus preserved him from utter ruin. He was brought to

bitter weeping and restored to the joy and boldness that showed itself in Peter's message at Pentecost.

Jesus is interceding for us today in the same way that our faith may not fail. Paul says this in

Romans 834, Jesus promised that his sheep would be preserved and never perish. My sheep hear my voice

and I know them and they follow me and I will give them eternal life and they will never perish.

And no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10, 27 and 28. The reason for this is that God

works to preserve the faith of the sheep. He who began a good work and you will bring it to

completion at the day of Jesus Christ, Philippians 1-6. We are not left to ourselves to fight the

fight of faith. It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure,

Philippians 2-13. You have the assurance of God's word that if you are his child, he will equip you

with everything good that you may do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his sight

through Jesus Christ. He roosts 1321. Our endurance in faith and joy is finally and decisively

in the hands of God. Yes, we must fight but this very fight is what God works in us and he most

certainly will do it for as it says in Romans 830, those whom he justified, he also glorified.

The glorification of God's justified children is as good as done. He will lose none of those

he has brought to faith and justified.