The Adversary

I am sure we are saddened by the news from Paris of numerous terrorist attacks killing 129 and wounding 350 people in various locations. Equally disturbing are the reports of similar attacks throughout Israel in October killing 11 and injuring 609 Israeli residents. It appears our adversary, Satan, is very active. 

Why is all this happening now and why has it happened in all of recorded history? Satan has opposed God and plotted the death of humanity. Our Lord God said in John 8:44, "He was a murderer from the beginning." The name Satan means adversary. Satan is the adversary of God and of everyone of God's children. He is the roaring lion who "Walks about seeking whom he may devour." (1Peter 5:8) 

From the very beginning, Satan's purpose has been to destroy the Child of the woman, "The dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born." (Revelation 12:4) Knowing from the Word of God the Promised One would surface out of Israel, the adversary did everything he could to keep Israel from being formed as a nation.

Satan led the wicked Haman to plan the extermination of all the Jews. However, our Lord God raised up Esther to expose Haman's plan and God's promised people were protected. After the promised Child was born, Satan caused King Herod to have all the babies in Bethlehem killed. Once again, our Lord God intervened and caused Joseph and his family to flee to Egypt protecting Jesus.

After Jesus' baptism, Satan tempted Him three times in the wilderness but Jesus prevailed over each temptation by responding with the Word of God. Finally, on a Friday afternoon at 3:00, Satan thought he was victorious when Jesus died on the cross. On the third day, God raised Jesus from the dead defeating Satan once again. Hallelujah!

Today, even with all that is happening in the world, we know without a doubt that Jesus' victory over Satan can be enforced by prayer. The praying church can actually be part of determining the outcome of world events. Satan can still cause havoc, but he cannot win against Christians who claim the victory of Jesus as their own victory.

"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench ALL the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is The Word of God." (Ephesians 6:13-17)

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You This Day And Each Day,

Frank