No matter how hard the devil tries . . .

 

1 Kings 22; Psalms 108–109; Daniel 4; 1 Thessalonians 5

Many books have been written to describe the activities of Satan. The Bible describes him as a liar and the father of lies, a deceiver and a destroyer. His intentions are never good but always evil. He works to keep the people of God from being effective in living for His glory and to keep those who do not know God from knowing Him. His methods vary but his main lie is that God does not want good for us therefore we cannot trust Him.

I’ve noticed in reading through the Bible this year that God blesses those who are downtrodden and needy, who cry out to Him because of oppression, difficulties and sorrow. His mercy is for those who cannot meet their own needs and who are mangled by life. He says:

For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite. (Isaiah 57:15)

Rarely does God call proud, self-sufficient people into His kingdom. Saul who became Paul is one example that shows He can call anyone, yet He also says:

For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. (1 Corinthians 1:25–29)

God’s purpose is to create a family of believers who reflect His glory. Most people are far more interested in our own glory, in being somebody and something important — an attitude that easily accepts the lies of the enemy, lies that bring us into his deception and even into dark places.

However, the Bible is also clear that the ‘successes’ of the enemy are in God’s control. He allowed Job to be severely tested to prove that the faith God grants can withstand great tests. He allowed a pagan king seven years of insanity until, “You know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.” (Daniel 4:25) Not only that, at the end of this time, this once pagan King realized what God wanted him to understand. He said:

At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?” (Daniel 4:34–35)

His kingdom and even more greatness was restored to him. He honored God saying, “All his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” (verse 37)

The power of God against the foe whose endless attacks and lies threaten all that is true and righteous becomes even more obvious in the New Testament. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the final blow to Satan’s plans:

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. (Hebrews 2:14–15)

Jesus gives His people eternal life. Death and the fear of death no longer enslave those who believe. Instead, we have this incredible promise:

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:23–24)

APPLY: The short version is “Jesus Wins” — no matter what Satan does, or even that he gets to me now and then. His evil power was defeated when Jesus died for my sin and rose again to defeat death. I’m always needy and cannot do anything, especially glorify God, without the guidance and help of my Savior, but that is not a problem because He is always available to show me the way and enable me to walk in it.