Father, so many times in life I have sung of my anchor holding in the storms of life. And Father I claim that as truth. In the struggles and heartaches of life You are surely a solid rock and a sure foundation. I am so grateful for the security of our relationship. But anchoring in You has another dimension as well. Many times in my life my connection to You – my anchor holding fast in You – has been the lifeline to pull me back, for as another old hymn state “prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love.”
Too many times I have strayed just far enough away that I can pretend that I can’t hear Your voice calling for my return. But whatever has caught my fancy soon proves to be unfulfilling and shallow and once again my anchor brings me back to You. Thank You, Father, for Your unwavering love!
1 Thessalonians 2:17-20 (<<click here)
Paul, a rock-solid devout believer in the power of the resurrected Christ, attributed his inability to return to the church at Thessalonica to Satan. We don’t know what he did to hinder Paul – but we need to learn from Paul.
Peter clearly states that the devil “prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) and he surely is out to get us. Lord, You know this is an ongoing struggle for me. I have no doubt whatsoever that he exists. I guess I’ve always felt that we empower him too much. This goes back pretty far but I can still recall one of comedian Flip Wilson’s catchphrases, “The devil made me do it.” For years I have balked at that – he can’t make me do anything! But he can sure provide plenty of enticements! So I might not get “devoured” but I’ve been bitten plenty of times!
I consciously strive to undermine the devil’s power. He may impact people all over the world but he cannot be all places at once – his demonic hoard does his bidding. He cannot know everything – though he’s been around long enough to have us pegged pretty well. And he is not all-powerful – he may have the ability to do what he wants – but he is surely limited and he does lose.
He is a foe to be reckoned with and he will surely wreak havoc in our lives BUT… he will not prevail and I am determined, only in You, Lord, to stand against him!
“I need Thy presence every passing hour;
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.”
“Abide with Me” words by Henry F. Lyte, 1847
July 17th, Fri, 6:59 am
