"Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."
1 Peter 5:7
The past two months have been challenging and painful for us. This is the year of the tear. In less than two months, we have painfully come face to face with the loss of three loved ones, my father, my mother-in-law, and my cousin, who was like a brother to me. The song "Does Jesus Care" hits home because it expresses our Lord’s care for us during our times of pain, heavy burdens, and cares.
"For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too." (2 Corinthians 1:5)
In times of sadness, heartache, darkness, and the loss of loved ones, we can rest in the assurance that our Lord Jesus cares for us. He loves and cares for us His children and asks us to cast our burdens on Him.
"Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved." (Psa. 55:22)
He has promised us that He will give us rest from the cares of this life, and we must believe and trust Him (Matt. 11:28-30). When our hearts are filled with pain, we can confidently look to God for comfort(2 Cor. 1:5). Thus the question is, Does Jesus care?
Our Lord Jesus also manifests His care toward us during our times of dread and fear. And though we may walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we have nothing to fear because He is with us (Psa. 23:4). God has given us the spirit of power, not of fear ( 2 Tim. 1:7). We need not live in fear, for perfect love casts out fear ( 1 Jn. 4:18).
"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Tim. 1:7)
"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love." (1 John 4:18)
Our Lord and Savior also cares for us amid our times of temptation and grief. Although no one can say we have no sin, we indeed fail at times to resist some temptation strong.
"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." (1 John 1:8)
Nevertheless, we must have a tender heart and be compelled to grieve or mourn for our sins.
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." (Matt. 5:4)
We must weep with godly sorrow every time we fail our Lord and sin against Him. Our sin must cause our tears to flow all night long.
"O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath. 2 Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled. 3 My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O LORD—how long? 4 Turn, O LORD, deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love. 5 For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who will give you praise? 6 I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping." (Psalm 6:1-6)
Since our Lord Jesus experienced sadness at the loss of a dear and beloved friend, He understands and cares for us during those dark times (John 11:32-35). His words found in the Scriptures can comfort and encourage us in such circumstances.
"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. 15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words." (1 Thes. 4:13-18)
Since He suffered death, He is able to be our merciful and faithful High Priest to help us be free from the fear of death, bringing the comfort of hope into our lives.
"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, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted." (Heb. 2:14-18)
CONCLUSION:
Our Lord cares during our times of pain, burdens, cares, dread and fear, temptation and grief, sadness, heartache, and the loss of loved ones.
"O yes, He cares, I know He cares; His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares."
Jesus not only demonstrated that He cares for us through His death but also that He continues to care for us. Thus, in times of darkness and sorrow, we can rest in the confident assurance that He cares and is willing to help us.
When life's storms besiege our soul, God is always near us to prove that He cares for us. He is our Anchor. Our faith in God can help us bear the fiery furnace of our trials, keeping us from being burned. Our Lord gives us quiet and sweet rest when we are weary because of persecution, affliction, suffering, difficulties, adversities, and Satan’s buffeting. In Christ, we have such an abundance of precious promises that all things shall work together for good, in blessedness. He is our great Rock that shelters and sweetly refreshes us in our time of need.
Indeed, our most in-depth spiritual lessons come from trials, pain, and suffering. The deep waters, the hot fire, and the dark valleys teach us to walk the faith path.
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you." (Isaiah 43:2)
God walks with us through our darkest valleys, troubled waters, and hot fires. He never breaks His promises. Every time that we walk through the deep waters of difficulty and suffering, He is there with us to provide refuge and rest. And no matter how many fierce storms, challenges, and suffering come our way, God will be our refuge and the solid and sure anchor that we can hold on to. He is our source of protection or shield and rest during life’s storms. But we must learn to hide ourselves in Him alone.
"You are my hiding place and my shield; I wait for Your word." (Psalm 119:114)
"For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock." (Psalm 27:5)
"Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies; I take refuge in You." (Psalm 143:9)
He is our place of shelter and safety. He will carry us with loving and tender care in our times of fear and sorrow.
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. 4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. 6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. 7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. 8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations on the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. 10 'Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!' 11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress."' (Psalm 46)
Our God shelters us like the wings of care and protection of a protective mother bird. In our times of trouble and sorrow, our merciful and loving God spreads His wings to guard His children so that no harm will overtake them.
"Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by." (Psalm 57:1)
"He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler." (Psalm 91:4)
"No evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent." (Psalm 91:10)
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!" (Matthew 23:37)
May we all come to our place of refuge, strength, and defense, in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. May we find rest and quiet solitude in His arms where we can just drown out this world’s cares. May we find hope and healing in Him alone amid our burdens and distress, for He cares and is touched by our sorrows and trials.
I hope the words of this lovely song stir your soul the way they do mine.
“Does Jesus Care?”
"Does Jesus care when my heart is pained Too deeply for mirth and song,
As the burdens press, and the cares distress, And the way grows weary and long?"
"Does Jesus care when the way is dark With a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades, Does He care enough to be near?"
"Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed To resist some temptation strong,
When for my deep grief I find no relief, Though my tears flow all the night long?"
Does Jesus care when I’ve said ‘good-by’ To the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks–Is it aught to Him, does He see?
Chorus,
"O yes, He cares, I know He cares; His heart is touched with my grief; When the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares."
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."
Deuteronomy 6:5-9
One of God’s most critical commandments addresses the relationship between the child and the parent. The Gospel teaches us how we must walk in a manner worthy of our calling in Christ and especially in our home. God is very concerned about life in the home. All Christians are commanded to submit to Christ and His rule and to one another as husbands, wives, and children. The home will be affected when we refuse to obey that command. Please join me as we face the great need to save our children from a dying world.
I. TEACHING OUR CHILDREN THE FEAR OF GOD:
"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4)
Christ modeled for us the beauty of submission when He gave himself for us as a sacrifice on the cross, doing His Father’s will (John 12:12-26). We must not exclude Christ and His principles of righteousness from our homes! The break down of the home has deeply impacted the Lord's church.Strong and godly homes have a tremendous power to raise strong and faithful children who, in the long run, can become strong, faithful Christians when they become adults. As faithful adults, they build strong and godly Christian homes whose Builder is Jesus, He whose kingdom is righteousness. A home that is built by God's wisdom can produce godly, strong, and faithful Christians. Such godly souls are a blessing to the Lord's church! They strengthen the church. These are the type of homes that produce leaders who will serve in many vital roles in the church. The saddest thing is that the Lord's church is suffering immensely because of the breakdown of the home. Instead of overcoming the world by our saltiness and devotion to Christ and His kingdom (being godly examples), we are overcome by the world and its lawlessness and darkness.We must take responsibility at once for things that are turning our homes upside down!
The most important teaching parents can do for their children is found in God's instructions, teaching our children the fear of God. When parents follow God's instructions, they will teach them to love God above everything, obey Him, fear Him, and worship Him joyfully. But words and actions are necessary to be successful. Christian parents play a foundational role in teaching their children daily the fear of God. Unfortunately, many Christian parents don't serve God faithfully and end up raising children who, as adults, don't serve God either. Their children grow up and are lost.That is very sad! Other reasons could be cultural influences combined with a lack of proper Bible teaching. The power of cultural influences is stronger than ever with the rise of media and the many technological devices (TV, movies, video games, music, social media, internet, texting, etc.). Most of these influences are ungodly. Even those children who were brought up in a Christian and godly home spend most of their time with other children who are not being raised to fear and love God and His Word. All Christian parents must fight tooth and claw all negative cultural influences. They must instill principles of righteousness and God's Word in the lives of their children. It is not enough to take our children to church weekly. It is not enough to feed and clothe them well without teaching them the fear of God and obedience to His Word. Attendance alone (when we gather together to worship God) is not enough, and the central pillar of life without proper Biblical teaching or instruction. It is how we live our lives, and our actions, that will teach our children to do what is right as genuine children of God. Our children can indeed see where our priorities are. Parents are given the ultimate responsibility for the training of their children. So we must train our children to fear God and to save them spiritually.
God has put us, parents, in charge of our home, and we must lead appropriately according to the will of God. Our lives must be ordered and determined by God's kingdom and God's righteousness if we are indeed faithful followers of Christ. In doing this, you may rest assured you will be equipped to teach your children the fear of God and defeat all negative cultural influences that exist. We must be earnest about the souls of our children and learn from the wisdom of God written a long time ago (Deut. 10:12-13). We, as Christian and god-fearing parents, must walk worthy of the Gospel if we want our children to obey God and be saved.It is a foundational truth in saving our children!
We cannot expect our children to be faithful to God if we are partially committed to Christ. When both parents fear God and are devoted, dedicated, and zealous to the Lord and His work, their children most likely will follow their parents' lead successfully. The church cannot save our children. Parents are the only ones who can save them with the Lord's help and instruction found in His revealed Word. No Bible classes and sermons at a church building weekly will influence our children's lives and save them.Parents must walk the path of righteousness and practice what they teach their children so that they may see the way to heaven. The power of godly example from both parents is vital for them to be saved and go to heaven (Deuteronomy 6:5-9).
II. THE LAST LINE OF DEFENSE AGAINST THE ILLS OF THE WORLD:
The great message of God’s Grace in the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that sinners can and must be forgiven and reconciled or restored to God’s favor. Jesus and His disciples cried out that all men everywhere must repent, and they taught the world the new life, the new way of living that God requires, that which pleases our Savior and Lord. We must be restored to the ideals of righteous living. One of the most beautiful fruits of that life is seen in the home as designed by God: a home where the Bible, the Master’s will, is taught and sought, a home where fathers, mothers, and children behave in the beautiful ways that bring peace and joy to our lives and glory to our Creator. Is this an impossible dream?Without a clear understanding of God's intent for marriage and design for the home, dysfunction, moral anarchy, and chaos reign.
You see, God had a design in mind when He created the family. And when we follow His divine pattern for the home, we bear much fruit to His glory. The family is the hub around which all of life should be organized. The preeminent responsibility of every parent is to teach the Gospel to their children so that they may be saved from the wrath of God.Our primary goal must be to point our children to Christ always, in word and deed. Our labor is a labor of love, not just to provide for their physical needs but also to nurture their souls for eternity. A parent’s highest ambition is to see their children walking in the Light, in Truth and righteousness.Are we making the Bible to be loved in our homes?Do we have long-lasting structures to enshrine God’s Word in our homes?
So, who rules the cradle in our culture today? The public schools, government, caretakers, strangers, and such, but not the parents. Sadly, there are fewer and fewer women and men today who accept the importance of their role in helping to bring up godly children to beautify God's kingdom.Godly parenting is shepherding the hearts of our children in the ways of God's wisdom. As we shepherd the hearts or souls of our children by teaching them to delight in the Word of God,God's Word will be the power that saves their lives, instead of whatever other formula society offers that might produce children who merely believe. God's Word is powerful! If we teach our children the wisdom of God's Word and its power, our children will be able to withstand all of the threats to their FAITH, come what may.
The world is in desperate need of homes where God is recognized as the Head; His Word as the only guiding light; and His glory as the only motivating power. Apart from these Biblical principles of righteousness to govern the home, our home and family system is in danger of collapsing altogether. This is leading us to a blatant ignorance of authority, like the ignorance that flourishes in decadent societies. God calls for faithful parents to guide, nurture, and train their children in His ways as His perfect arrangement (Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4; I Timothy 5:14). The godly home is our last line of defense against the ills that overtake the world. It is commonly said, "As goes the home, so goes the nation and the church."God give us Christian Homes!
CONCLUSION:
Deuteronomy 6:5-9is full of practical wisdom about the godly home that does not forget God. When one loves God, he will also love His Word. When it comes to child-rearing, parents must practice what they preach. There must be a personal example and spiritual teaching and training. Bible study with our children is a priceless opportunity!
Parents must teach their children to love, respect, and obey God supremely.
They must teach them love for their neighbor. How to respect and submit to all authority.
They must teach them to humble themselves, exercise self-disciple, and do hard work.
They must learn how to be gracious and merciful to all.
They must be reminded that God is watching and that they will reap what they sow.
And that they must keep learning and growing in the fear of God.
These are fundamental and priceless truths that will save our children. Remember that our primary goal is to teach our children how to walk with God as we ourselves are endeavoring to walk. Leading by example is not enough sometimes since we must also invest time to teach them properly (Eph. 6:4). Without Bible knowledge, the wisdom of God, and the path of righteousness in their lives, our children are most likely to be lost in this world of darkness (the culture around them). Remember, our job as parents is first to bring up godly children even while we prepare them to make a living.
Are you aware that one of the biggest problems the church and our society are facing today is that we are raising up a generation of spoiled, rebellious, and unrestrained children?!Just look around you! Our badly behaved children (because they didn't receive enough discipline and instruction at home) are the ones that are leading our nation and the church now and in the future.What do you see? Nothing but sin, lawlessness, and apostasy everywhere!Indeed, the future of our nation and society as a whole doesn't look too promising or bright!Why?Simply because parents have failed to apply God's wisdom and instruction (the fear of God) in their home. So, as a result of this, there is nothing but sin, chaos, violence, and lawlessness. Parents, wake up and smell the coffee before it is forever too late, for God will judge you for withholding correction and instruction as ordained by His Word!!
“May our sons in their youth be like plants full grown, our daughters like corner pillars cut for the structure of a palace. Blessed are the people whose God is the LORD.” (Psalm 144:12, 15)
Consider the following poem I composed about the home that does not forget God.
"The Lovely Home"
Oh, how blessed is the home whose builders are fathers and mothers
And where sons and daughters are trained by real teachers,
Who, by their examples, show the true adornment of the heart.
Oh sweet home where the heart of the child is molded
With sweetness and love.
Oh that God would give each parent a vision of the glory and splendor
Of nurturing and training the hearts of their children for eternity.
It is a divine work.
If only they could see that there is no other work so noble and sacred,
Worthy and holy, as the training and building of little hearts.
There is no inheritance that a parent can pass on to a child
That can compare to the influence and blessing of a true godly home.
Oh, what splendor is found in the home,
Where the love of God reigns
And His wisdom directs everyone's footsteps in righteousness.
Oh, how happy is the home where hearts are pure and holy.
For no calamity, no great sorrow, no power of evil, no earthly loss,
Can ever rob them of the holy influences and memories of a home that is built by God.
Oh, what a blessing is the sacred home,
For it is a sanctuary, where men and women
Can be free from the world's perils and dismay.
Oh sweet home where the weary and faint
Can retreat and rest to gather new strength
For tomorrow's battles and toils.
Oh how magnificent is the home
Where love learns discipline and strength,
And where love forms character.
No career is more worthy
Than the making of a godly and beautiful home, “home-making.”
For he who builds a sanctuary for God,
Opens a bountiful fountain of blessing for all men.
Oh godly home that dwells with beauty and strength
Where hearts are inspired and trained
For noble and victorious living,
Equipped for life's battles and temptations.
Oh, that we might heed God's sacred calling
To train the little corners of our kingdom
Called home with strength and purity
To make them, brave and loyal,
Worthy of our Almighty God.
May we never allow this world's constant distractions to squander these precious opportunities to teach our precious children what really matters, the fear of God, love for His Word, and obedience to all of His commands (Deut. 6:8-9). May we never abandon our God-given duty but make an effort to teach our children the riches found in God's Word, that they might bear abundant fruit for His glory.
"Wherein God, being minded to show more abundantly unto the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed with an oath; that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us: which we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and entering into that which is within the veil..."
Hebrews 6:17-19
The past few weeks have been tough for me with the passing of my father and getting sick with COVID-19. It has been four weeks, and by the Grace of God, we have recovered and are feeling much better. Our prayers have been answered. Our second COVID-19 test has come back negative, and we are not contagious anymore. Out next step will be to donate plasma (our antibodies) for the treatment of others who are suffering in the hospitals due to COVID-19. May God be praised for His goodness and mercy toward us through your prayers. My family, both here and in Florida, also got sick. They also have recovered except for my sister, who is fighting the virus and will remain in the hospital for at least a few more days. We continue to hope that the new treatment with antibodies (plasma) will give her a complete recovery according to the Grace of God.
With these things in mind, let us think for a while about what God provides for us as an anchor for our souls during the stormy seasons of our lives through His Son, our Lord Jesus.
In all this, I have learned that no matter how righteous a Christian might be, he is not exempt from suffering, and we must learn to accept our trials and sufferings with joy. All our trials and sufferings refine our faith and mold us into what God wants us to be that we might be faithful to Him until we die. In all our sufferings, our Lord Jesus Christ is honored. And no matter what happens in our life, our Lord and Savior must be honored, for He is worthy of all honor and praise. We must continue with joy and confidence in our eternal home. Our faith must remain strong, that we not become bitter, sour, and ungrateful.
Our pain and suffering grow our faith. Our faith helps us to endure all of life’s sufferings and difficulties. God uses our afflictions to perfect our faith for our good. Indeed, it is difficult to have a positive and peaceful mindset when we are going through trials and pain. But there are so many disguised blessings when we endure our pain and struggles to survive and keep afloat! When we are suffering, our expectations are debilitated and shattered. We forget what God can accomplish through our pain. Our fervent love for Christ must not be hindered by our trials and sufferings.Often in our grief, we stop reading and studying our Bibles. We stop praying and singing songs of praise. Our desire to honor Christ must compel us to pray, praise, study, and have fellowship with Him and with one another during the days of suffering. God allows suffering for a reason. It is for His glory. Suffering with hope and praise honors Christ, for He alone is our solid Rock in Whom we find refuge and strength.
Suffering and pain are good for us. No matter how intense our affliction may be, God will find a way to provide what we need to comfort us. I am happy to be sharing in the sufferings of my Lord Jesus! Through pain and suffering, I have come to know the power of God. Suffering grows our faith in Christ, for it compels us to rely on His power and not our own. Though we might find ourselves utterly burdened beyond strength, God is able to deliver us. But, we must depend on Him for deliverance. God can strengthen and comfort us so that we might endure our afflictions. God’s comfort is not intended to make us comfortable but rather to make us comforters to others. Our pain and trials must be used for helping others who are enduring similar trials. May we learn to comfort those who are suffering and be the means of God’s comfort to them (2 Cor. 1:3-4).
The Psalms have become my best and most loyal companions when I descend into the valleys of despair. I go to them for guidance, comfort, refreshment, and healing. They teach me to trust in God despite my circumstances. When my heart is overwhelmed, and my world is upside down, they guide me and force me to discern and accept that God's ways are not my ways and that I must hold on to Him even when it seems like He is not holding on to me. The Psalms help me understand God more and more. As I read and meditate on them, I see that I must walk with Him faithfully in a real world of pain and suffering. They teach me to trust in Him, for He is working behind the scenes and behind the real screen of the great unknown. He is with us even when our mind and heart are clouded by the hopeless mist of struggles.
Singing songs of praise helps me to trust in Him even when I cannot see His obvious works, His great deliverance. Singing songs of praise strengthens me when my spirit is flagging.O how I long to immerse myself in His Word and sing songs of praise when my heart is distressed! It is the only antidote that can heal my crushed heart. Such songs help me to face tragedy, for they keep me focused on the unseen, and lead me to acknowledge God (trust Him, His Word, and His providence).
The Gospel gives us hope despite the troubled world that roars all around us. Let's think about what our Lord has provided to anchor our souls and bring us calm amid the storms.
I. OUR HOPE AS AN ANCHOR IN TROUBLED TIMES:
I have selected the song “We Have An Anchor” because it pictures our hope as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast. This song also reminds us of the anchor that is provided to our souls by our hope in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This anchor provided by our Lord keeps us from drifting. When a ship is buffeted by a storm, it needs an anchor to provide security and safety (Acts 27:29). And just as ships are often faced with storms, so it is that we must face storms in this life. The clouds unfold wings of strife when we are faced with various trials and tribulations (James 1:2-3). Thus, we must have an anchor that is fastened to something steadfast that we not drift (Hebrews 2:1). Will your anchor drift or firm remain?
The Christian's Hope:
What is the meaning of hope to the Christian?
How does the Bible define hope?
Hope is crucial to the Christian. The hope that the Bible speaks of is not an “I-hope-so,” but rather an “I-know-so.” It does not wish for the best. It is not waiting to see what happens and hope that it turns out well. Hope is not a feeling or emotion. Hope is the knowledge of facts. The Bible defines hope as the sure anchor of the soul. Human hope is insignificant in comparison to the hope of the Bible.
Our hope allows us to desire and expect what God has in store for us.
"Wherein God, being minded to show more abundantly unto the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed with an oath; that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us: which we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and entering into that which is within the veil; whither as a forerunner Jesus entered for us, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek." (Hebrews 6:17-20)
The hope we have as Christians is based on "two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie." Consider them:
God's promise.
God's oath.
So, what is this promise, and what is this oath? The promise is the one given to Abraham that his seed should be blessed, and in this seed should all nations of the earth be blessed. The questions are:
To whom was the promise made?
Who are the “seed”?
The Seed is our Lord Jesus, through whom all nations are blessed. This promise was made not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. We Christians are the seed of Abraham since our Father is the God of the faithful. Therefore, God's promise is established securely for all who are faithful to Him as Abraham, who was faithful to Him. Abraham believed God's promises and walked in the steps of faith as an example to us. All who are faithful to Christ Himself will be blessed as sons of Abraham.
So what is the oath? It is the oath that the Lord swore to Abraham after he had offered his son Isaac as a sacrifice to God.This is the oath of His priesthood. Our Lord Jesus is our Priest, who has finished His sacrificial work and has already gone within the veil and is now seated at the right hand of God, the Father forever.His priesthood is abiding in eternal efficacy!
What a blessed anchor to the soul it is to know our Lord and Savior is within the veil! That our King of righteousness and peace is now seated before the throne of our Father in heaven, interceding for us.Therefore, I have that hope of assurance and security in Him.
What better Anchor can the faithful have?
What a consolation that we can be heirs of such a promise!
What hope it is for His faithful ones to rely on His oath and promise!
Our Anchor, Jesus, is drawing us home to Himself, not downward beneath raging and devouring waves, but upward to blissful joys.Our hope is nearer than when we first believed!It is near to its fruition!We are anchored to heaven's precious promises.
"So that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us"(Hebrews 6:18).
And the foundation of our hope, our joy, and our peace is our confidence in the unfailing promises of God. His promises are evident in His Word.
"For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” 15 And thus Abraham,[a] having patiently waited, obtained the promise." (Hebrews 6:13-15).
The Christian's definition of hope is far superior to that of the world. A Christian knows that his hope is based on solid, concrete evidence because it is grounded in the Word of God, and we know that God cannot lie (Heb 6:18; Num 23:19). The Christian has a faith that is “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Heb 11:1). It is the hope of faith that will not be shaken or moved by circumstances or what the eyes see because an unseen God is seen in His faithfulness.
In Romans 8:24-25, Paul tells us the following.
"For in hope were we saved: but hope that is seen is not hope: for who hopeth for that which he seeth? But if we hope for that which we see not, then do we with patience wait for it."
“And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:5)
It is the hope of resurrection."The hope and resurrection of the dead."
"Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, 'Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.' 7 And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all.'" (Acts 23:6-10)
"So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: it is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body." (1 Cor. 15:42-43)
We all long to be with our Lord in His heavenly Jerusalem. However, we must pass through the storms of life before we arrive at our destination. Yet, our Lord helps us to achieve our goal by keeping us pressing onward, knowing that in this hope,"We have an anchor." Our God has provided us an anchor to our souls through our Lord Jesus Christ to hold us fast lest we be shipwrecked, unhappy, unstable, useless, and hopeless. Jesus, our Lord, is God's perfect provision for us. He is our City of Refuge! The true Anchor holds because,
Our Father in Heaven has provided us with hope (Heb. 6:19).
We have a home, and our anchor is secured in heaven, in the Holy of Holies since Jesus is there as our High Priest (Heb. 6:19-22; Heb. 9:11-12).
Our anchor is set firmly in the regions above, and every step of our journey is bringing us closer to our heavenly destination.
We are anchored to heaven's peerless Priest (Heb. 6:20).
Our peerless Priest has proceeded to heaven before us and is our "forerunner" (Heb. 6:19-20).
Heaven's peerless Priest has perfected us by redeeming us and is sitting at the right hand of God's throne interceding for us (Heb. 10:12-14).
Heaven's peerless Priest is preparing for us a place (Heb. 6:20).
Our anchor holds since it is anchored to the Solid Rock, Jesus Christ, the one whose name is above all names.
When our hope is in Christ, we are safely moored because our anchor will be well-secured by our Savior’s mighty hand.This anchor secures us to our Savior (Lk. 2:11). It is as if cables were passing from our Savior’s heart to ours. But this can only be true when we are devoted to Him and love Him with all our hearts (Mark 12:30). Through these spiritual cables, we are able to defy the blast, for we will be strengthened with power through His Spirit in our inner being (Eph.3:16-17). The anchor that Jesus provides to us by our hope in Him will guide us in the straits of fear. As we sail life’s seas, we will be faced with situations that will produce fear. But God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and self-control (2 Tim. 1:7). And though the tempest might rave fiercely all around us, there is nothing to fear, for God has promised to be with us to calm the storm (Heb. 13:5-6). With God on our side, we can rest assured that no angry wave shall our bark overflow.Perfect love casts out all fear (1 John 4:18).
The anchor provided by our Lord Jesus will sustain us in the floods of death. When we, Christians, pass through the floods of death, our eyes can behold that city of gold (Rev. 21:1-2). Although many debate where the soul actually goes after we die, whether it is heaven or not, we, Christians, must agree that the righteous who die in the Lord are in a state of bliss because they are near that shore where the pure river of the water of life flows (Rev. 22.1-2). Here, they are resting from their labors, and their storms are all past, for God has promised that there will be no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain to bring about those storms (Rev. 21:3-4). We may rest assured that one day, we all must pass through the floods of death (Heb. 9:27). However, in Christ, we have a steadfast anchor, and that can never fail. Such hope will result in our salvation (Rom. 8:24-25). The reason why such an anchor can never fail is because it reaches and fastens to that which is within the veil, our Lord Jesus Christ (Heb. 10:19-20). The anchor will bring us to the golden harbor of heaven!
CONCLUSION:
All faithful Christians must be ready for hardships, difficulties, discomfort, and afflictions. Satan uses our afflictions to move us away from God. His goal is for us to give up. He delights in striking us from every angle so that we give up on God. Satan wants to hear us say, “It’s too much, and it is too hard!” He wants to wreck our lives. And it does not matter if we lose everything in this life, for we must learn to live for God, honor, serve, and worship Him. We must surrender to Him whatever He gives us in life. We must trust God while suffering (1 Peter 4:19). Our suffering demonstrates our genuine faith and must continue to do good. In doing this, we will defend the hope we have in Christ and help others. We motivate unbelievers and believers by the way we behave in the face of suffering. When we continue steadfast in our service to God in the face of suffering, we are opening doors for unbelievers to come to Jesus. Honoring Jesus is rejoicing even in our massive trials. We must be like Job, who said, “Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive adversity.” (Job 2:10)“The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away, blessed be the name of the LORD.” (Job 1:21) Amen to that!!
Therefore, I am resolved not to be moved by my afflictions. We must be ready to suffer and carry Jesus’ cross no matter what may come our way in this life. We must be ready for trials and suffering. We must take joy in Christ, who gives us the strength necessary to bear all of life’s pain and trials. He is our Comforter and the Father of all mercies who comforts us in all our afflictions (2 Cor. 1:4). Pain and suffering teach us to share the comfort of God with those who are afflicted and need it most.God’s comfort does not end with us. God teaches us through our suffering to comfort others with the same comfort that we receive from Him. He comforts us in our afflictions that we may be His conduits of comfort to others who are also suffering. You see, our suffering has a divine purpose. God’s purpose is that we may understand compassion toward one another. Suffering is not a competition about who has suffered the most. I often hear those who are suffering say that their pain is so much worse than anyone else’s. This is naïve! It hinders us from being a channel of real comfort and blessing. We must not wallow in self-pity seeking the attention of others, but rather lift our eyes and see the ways we can comfort others even while we are suffering!
We often plant ourselves in shifting sand, leaving our ship adrift and in danger of sinking. You see, people are desperately trying to fasten themselves to an insecure world, forgetting the true anchor that is secure, grounded in the deep. Indeed, this world, like a restless sea, can be a cruel and dangerous place filled with storms, tribulations, trials, and pain.
We all have stormy seasons that rage fiercely, turning everything upside down. They are:
The storms of doubt, discouragement, despair, and defeat as well as the winds of temptation, trials, and sorrows that tear at our sails.
The seas of sin, sorrow, and sickness leave us wounded and discouraged.
Our barriers of fear, frustration, and failures can cause us to lose our joy, hope, and peace as well.
Thus we start to wonder if we are going to make it or not. Will your anchor hold steadfastly or drift away when adversities touch your life? Will your faith survive?
Jesus, our Anchor, will steady our ship when we anchor our lives to Him. He will calm the storms of our life that batter our ship and set it adrift in the violent seas. He will hold fast our ship and keep it from drifting, as He sees us safely home.He is our anchor of hope, our daily motivation, and encouragement when we place our faith in Him.
Our hope is our anchor. The hope of the Bible is compared to a ship on the sea that is threatened by raging storms that drive the ship from its intended course. As the ship's anchor reaches down to the seafloor, out of sight, so the Christian's anchor rises out of sight into heaven.When it strikes solid ground there, it is fixed!
The purpose of the anchor is to hold us fast to our God. Our hope gives us stability in stormy times.
May we make sure our anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock, Jesus our Lord. May we be fastened to the Solid Rock that "keeps the soul steadfast and sure while the billows roll." May our anchor hold to the Rock, which "cannot move, grounded firm and deep in the Savior's love."Our only hope! May the Lord be our Anchor, as our soul's refuge, in times of trouble and "stormy seas." May God's Word, prayer, and songs of praise be our anchors in all of our troubled times. May we hold fast to our true Anchor lest we drift away. May we all be encouraged by the hope that is set before us, which we have as an anchor of the soul.
Read with me the words of this beautiful song. It is one of my all-time favorite songs. I hope the words of this lovely song stir your soul the way it does mine.
Will Your Anchor Hold?
"Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift, and the cables strain,
“For He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Hebrews 13:5
The world that each of us lives in is composed of many parts. Our daily routine of work and play is part, and all the people that fit into those routines are also a part. The greater part of our world is the invisible members of the heavenly family, our God, who always walks beside us and the members of our family that we can take for granted. Although they are always there, a day arrives when they vanish from our lives and leave a great empty spot that aches without remedy. In those moments, we are alone except for our God, who is full of tender mercy. Be with me Lord, when loneliness overtakes me. Sickness such as the COVID-19 even further isolates us. We have been in quarantine now for two weeks, but we are not alone when Jesus remains nearby. He is closer to us than anyone else.
The song “Be With Me, Lord” is a beautiful song that reminds us of life’s circumstances in which God’s children want the Lord to be with them to help them bear the loads of life that so often are too heavy for us to bear without God’s help and strength. We dare not take one step alone, for it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.
“I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.” (Jer. 10:23)
In our lives, we have loads or burdens that we cannot bear alone without the Lord’s help. He wants us to cast them on Him, for He loves and cares for us. He will sustain us and will not allow us to be moved. Thus we must choose to trust Him and look to Him for strength to help us bear life’s loads of burdens. With God on our side and the strength that He provides us, we can do all things (Phil 4:13).
“Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” (Psalm 55:22)
Indeed, in this life, we will have to face fiery trials and storms of tribulation. All faithful Christians must face and bear the lashing seas (tribulations) which leap everywhere about us. God has told us that to enter His kingdom, we must go through many tribulations. However, these fiery trials and storms of tribulations will not harm us or make us afraid, for He who has promised is faithful and has promised us that He will be with us and carry us under His mighty wings of protection. If God is with us, who can be against us? (Rom. 8:31). Our merciful and loving God has promised us that He will help and strengthen us.
“Strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22)
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” (1 Pet. 4:12)
We must walk various journeys throughout life. No matter what journey we must walk through life, we must acknowledge that every good and perfect gift, including God’s abiding presence, comes down from above.
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” (Jas. 1:17)
God has promised us that He will abide in us if we keep His Word.
“Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” (Jn. 14:23)
Wherever we are, our Lord has promised to be with us always, even to the end of the world (Matt. 28:20).
As we walk our journey here on earth, we will have to face loneliness and pain. There will be times in life when we must weep amid the fires of pain (Ps. 6:6-8). One such time will be the hour of our departure for worlds unknown (2 Tim. 4:6). And though we must walk through the valley of the shadow of death, our gracious Lord has promised to be with us (Ps. 23:4).
CONCLUSION:
The more I walk life’s various journeys here on earth, the more I become aware that I must bow before my God and humbly beseech His help, simply asking,
“Be With Me, Lord. I cannot live without Thee; I dare not to try to take one step alone. I cannot bear the loads of life unaided. I need Thy strength to lean myself upon.”
May we cast our heavy burdens on Him, for He loves and cares for us. May we choose to trust Him and look to Him for strength to help us bear life’s loads of burdens. He will sustain us and will not allow us to be moved. May we acknowledge that with God on our side and the strength that He provides, we can do all things (Phil 4:13).
Luci
I hope the words of this moving song will stir your soul the way it does mine.
"Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil... Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints."
Ephesians 6:11-18
The early Reformers in Europe and the pioneers of the American churches prayed fervently for God's help against the invisible hosts of evil. They believed unabashedly in the devil and lived their lives as a battle against his evil influences. Just because they are invisible does not make them imaginary, nor does it make us superstitious to acknowledge their existence. Let's have a serious Bible discussion of Satan and his activities.
Satan knows us well. He is an expert, knowing our strengths and weaknesses. He is the serpent, the adversary, the evil one, the persecutor, the prince of darkness, the ruler of this world, and the great dragon. And when you follow Christ, he hates you with a passion. He is like a roaring lion prowling about, seeking to destroy us. He finds delight in our weaknesses. This is his target. He often targets us by attacking our strengths, the areas we have built upon, and the principal qualities we promote best.
"Therefore let him who thinks he stands take HEED lest he fall." I Corinthians 10:12
Satan is astute and cunning and has many devices. He usually goes for the citadel rather than the tiny cracks in the wall. We must learn to be more astute than he is, be on the alert, and stand firm to resist him so that he will flee from us. We cannot afford to be naive for a moment! We must consider his evil ways and be equipped with the armor of God to fight back.
I. SATAN'S EVIL WAYS THAT DESTROY US:
Satan fiercely seeks us out like a roaring lion to utterly destroy us. Satan, our adversary, wants to destroy those who are doing good work for Christ's sake, those who are faithful and are being used in service to God for His glory. He hates them and wages war against those striving to live for Christ, walking in righteousness. Indeed, his primary purpose is to destroy, discourage, and disgrace us. He will use all of his evil weapons against God's faithful children.
That is why we must become aware, be on guard, and stand firm in Christ with all prayer to resist him. However, I am confident that he can do nothing to us besides what God allows. He still has the power to prowl and attack us fiercely. His goal is to take us away from God's Word and love. He can do that only if we give him an open door. He will do everything he can to discourage and sway us away from God and His ways. He is eager to persecute all who desire to live godly (2 Tim. 3:12). His main goal is to attack our faith and joy. Therefore, let us take heed and be on the alert!!
We have a real enemy, and we need to be watchful! We cannot afford to be careless or lazy. Satan is the author of most of our troubles, cares, and persecutions. Even so, we must not allow him to intimidate us. I am determined not to let him win!!
We must become fully aware that although Satan can put sinful suggestions into our hearts, they are merely suggestions, and we must not yield or give in. We all have to face these illicit suggestions, but we must be wise about what to do with them. We must choose wisely, meditate on the Word of God, and pray on what to do with those suggestions rather than make plans to do evil. We must try to get those evil thoughts or suggestions out of our minds and not act upon them!
Let's consider some of his evil ways:
He loves to slander our God, making us doubt His goodness and destroying our faith,Genesis 3:4-5.
He tempts us to pretend to be more spiritual than we are, Acts 5:3; Joh 8:44.
He corrupts our minds and loves to steer us away from the simplicity and purity of the Gospel of Christ, 2 Corinthians 11:3.
He hinders the success of the Gospel by putting obstacles in the way and making the Truth hard to understand. He snatches the Truth away, I Thes. 2:18; Matt. 13:19.
He fights us to defeat whatever progress the Word of God makes in us, Eph. 6:12.
He may tempt us into committing adultery by encouraging one of the spouses to neglect the intimacy of the marriage bed, I Cor. 7:5. This is an area where he makes leaders in the church stumble. This shipwrecks the Bride of Christ and Her spiritual well-being.
He loves to afflict us with thorns in the flesh, 2 Cor. 12:7.
He may smite us with physical illness, Lk. 13:16; Job 2:7.
He loves to blind the eyes of those we love who don't know the Gospel by instilling doubt, keeping them from seeing the glory of our Lord Jesus, 2 Cor. 4:4.
He hinders many from coming to God in obedience through faith by enslaving them to sin, Gal. 4:8.
He tries to disable the effectiveness of the Word of God in us through confusion, discouragement, and despair, 2 Cor. 4:8-9.
He sows tares through false doctrines and false teachers to create disunity in the church, Mt. 13:38-39; 2 Cor. 11:13-15.
He leads many into embracing false doctrine and compromising what is sound, I Tim. 4:1-3.
He persecutes those who want to live godly, Rev. 2:10.
He tempts us to do evil, Matt. 4:1; I Thess. 3:5.
He uses pride to destroy us, I Peter 5:6-8.
He slanders us before God, Rev. 12:10.
He may ask God's permission to sift us, Lk. 22:31.
He may use the power of suggestion to keep us from doing the will of God, Matt. 16:21-23.
So, with all these warnings about Satan's ways, how do we stop him from causing so much damage and misery?How do we attack him? How can one stand firm and resist him so that he will flee? The answer to these questions is found in the Word of God. The Word of God urges Christians not to be naive about his schemes, 2 Cor. 2:11. To defeat Satan, we must submit to God, James 4:7. We must be sober and remain alert, giving him no opportunity, Eph. 4:27; Jas. 4:7; I Peter 5:8; and finally we must hate him and all sin, Psalm 97:10; Jude 23; 2 Peter 2:10.
II.HOW CAN WE, AS CHRISTIANS, DEFEND OURSELVES AGAINST THIS POWERFUL ENEMY?
Consider the following suggestions from the Word of God that would help us to overcome our adversary, the devil:
We must put on our battle armor: We cannot afford to be naive about Satan's wicked devices. Indeed, our conflict with him is a spiritual one. Therefore, we must consider his evil ways and be equipped with the whole armor of God to fight back. Ephesians 6:10-18 provides us with a list of these protections and arms for battle:
Truth.
Righteousness.
Peace.
Faith.
salvation
God's infallible Word and
Prayer.
If we put on this spiritual armor, we can resist our adversary, the devil, and he will flee from us (James 4:7). How do you suppose our Lord and Savior overcame Satan's temptations in Matthew 4? He overcame Satan with the Word of God. Jesus quoted Scripture on every occasion that Satan tempted Him. Now, if we are ignorant of the Word of God, we will not be able to overcome Satan's wiles and temptations. We will most likely give in to his temptations since we don't know what God demands of us. When we do not know the Word of God, we won't completely know and understand the difference between right and wrong. Thus, we will be an easy target for Satan. On the other hand, if we are thoroughly saturated with the knowledge of the Word of God and the courage to keep pressing on, Satan will have no chance to defeat us. You may rest assured!
We must remember that although God will allow Satan to tempt us, He will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can endure (I Cor. 10:13).
"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."
Remember this comforting promise always! This verse also restates that man is responsible for his actions or choices. God will never put us (Christians) in a position of temptation we cannot handle.
We must remember that we have an advocate, Jesus Christ, our Lord, even though we have Satan as the "accuser of the brethren" (Rev. 12:10). Jesus, our advocate, is standing with us, is pleading our case, is protecting us from all evil, and is refusing to forsake us (I John 2:1). How comforting are these words to my soul!!! Our Savior understands well what it is like to be tempted by Satan since He was tempted by the enemy. Therefore, He is interceding for us (Hebrews 7:25). He is on our side and wants to remain faithful to us if we are faithful to Him, walking in the Light "as He is in the Light." (I John 1:7)
We must never forget that victory is within our grasp and must keep going. Satan knows that he is going to lose in the end. Therefore, let us make sure that we keep pressing on and never give up when the way gets tough and wrong seems so strong. Let us heed the Lord's words of advice,
"Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Matt. 26:41)
Thus, if we faithfully arm ourselves with these four Bible truths, we will surely overcome our adversary, the devil.
CONCLUSION:
"Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom."
All Christians are involved in combat with a powerful and deceptive enemy, and we must be alert. The apostle Peter warns us about this big enemy in I Peter 5:8. Therefore, we must stand firm and not let him intimidate us. We must realize who our enemy is and learn his tactics of warfare. He is dangerous! We must acknowledge his power and devices. He is a crafty snake!
Satan is the roaring lion encircling the flock to see if he can make the sheep stray away from the shepherd's and the flock's protection. He is always prowling about, looking for an open door to attack and discourage us. His main goal is to devour or destroy us completely. Therefore, we must be watchful or vigilant and not be ignorant of his devices.
Today, many characterize Satan as a toothless lion that can only roar but cannot harm. This is dangerous! Because Satan does not intend just to scare us. He means to destroy and take us to the "lake of fire" with him. Let us pay attention to the Bible warnings about him!
Satan and his ministers of evil (those angels who rebelled against God) want to attack our faith and our desire to obey the Lord. Our struggle is not fleshly but rather spiritual, against spiritual forces of wickedness in high places (Eph. 6:10). Hence, we must put on our spiritual armor and stand firm to defeat him. How do we resist him? By submitting to God, drawing near to him, and purifying our hearts with His Word (James 4:7-8).
We must always consider that Satan is patient and not easily discouraged, no matter how many times we turn him down. He does not give up! Remember what Luke 4:13 says,"And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time." Satan attacked Jesus with various temptations during His time in the wilderness. And although he was not successful, he certainly did not give up on Jesus. He is back when another opportunity presents itself.
Remember that Satan and his demons believe in God, heaven, and hell. Notice what James wrote: "You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder"(James 2:19). They tremble because they know the eternal suffering that awaits them. Satan is always working (day and night). He knows his time is limited, and he has much to accomplish with his wicked plans. We read of this in Job 1:7.
"The LORD said to Satan, 'From where have you come?' Satan answered the LORD and said, 'From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.'"
Therefore, we must be on the alert and put on the whole armor of God to withstand the evil day and stand firm against Satan's attacks on our faith. The armor of God includes "defensive weapons,"which are the Truth, Righteousness, the Gospel of Christ, our Faith, and our Salvation. The armor of God also includes "offensive weapons," which are the Sword of the Gospel and Prayer, Eph.. 6:11-18. These are the only measures of war that we can take to stand firmly against him and win.
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but AGAINST principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of WICKEDNESS in the heavenly places."Ephesians 6:12
May we stand on a firm foundation of faith, the knowledge of God, and His Word so that we may be saved from Satan's wicked devices. May our Lord help us put on His whole armor to withstand the evil day and stand firm on our faith. May we submit to God and resist the devil so that he will flee from us. May we never surrender to Satan but dedicate our lives to God's service zealously. May we always be vigilant with all prayer that we may not enter into temptation. May we never forget that victory is within our grasp, and we must not let go.
