Dear Friend,

I’m always surprised to hear that there are people who do not believe that Satan exists. He is mentioned 51 times in the Bible and “devil” is mentioned 110 times. And, sadly, it seems as though he even influences Christians to act ungodly or to be foolish in different areas just as often as nonbelievers. However, there is a way to come out from under the enemy’s influence—it is by knowing the truth of the Word and through prayer.

Scripture says David was a man after God’s own heart, yet he was moved by Satan. First Chronicles 21:1 says, And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel. Then in the New Testament, Jesus had to rebuke His own disciple: But he [Jesus] turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men (Matthew 16:23).

Sometimes the devil is so subtle that we don’t realize the influence he has or the methods he uses. He even tried to tempt Jesus. One of the three things he offered the Lord to disobey God is found in Matthew 4:8-10:

Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Hallelujah! Jesus overcame Satan. We are blessed to have such a wonderful Lord. Satan would like to keep us ignorant of his devices, but we don’t have to let him. If we keep pursuing truth, we will find it, amen. It doesn’t matter how many mistakes we’ve made—we are forgiven. When we miss the mark, we just need to get up, dust ourselves off, and keep going after Jesus. Thank God we have the Holy Spirit to help us.

If there was ever a man in need of forgiveness and restoration, it was Saul of Tarsus, who also became known as the Apostle Paul. Just think of how Saul must have felt having an encounter with Jesus after persecuting Christians in the Name of God. However, Jesus forgave Saul and opened his eyes to the truth, and then He sent him out to share the Gospel to the Gentiles—to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me (Acts 26:18). Paul was sent to minister the same mercy and grace that saved him—and so are we!

My prayer for you today is from Colossians 3:16: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

 

Even when we are at our worst, God is ready to shower us with His tender mercies and lovingkindness. Let’s turn our hearts to Him through His Word and prayer.

God bless you and may every need you have spirit, soul, and body be met in the Name of our Lord Jesus.

In His love,

Donner Roberson