Relevant Worship Musters Powerful Warfare Against Satan

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8-9

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.

Insights:  Today’s verses reveal to us the cosmic spiritual battle that is going on around us.  We have an enemy and he is the devil.  Notice with me that this adversary is prowling around like a lion seeking someone to devour.  If you have ever watched an animal documentary on lions, you can visualize how they prowl around.  They are sneaky and quiet.  They wait for the most opportune time in which to pounce on their prey and their attack is vicious and fierce.  It is for these reasons that Peter warns us to be sober and alert.  We need to understand that we are on guard against this foe, but this foe has no real power over us if we are firm in our faith.  The way we remain firm in our faith is by drawing near to God and I would add the words “in worship” to that idea.  The reason I would add this qualifier is because as we have been discussing worship over these past many weeks we have learned that real worship gets our focus off of ourselves and onto God.  There is a second truth I want you to recognize from these verses.  The fact is that these attacks from satan often result in our experiencing suffering, but we ought not be surprised by these difficulties.  The reason we ought not be surprised is because our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ are experiencing the same kind of assaults as we are presently undergoing.  I will give you a clue as to how we resist the devil and draw near to God.  The clue can be found in yesterday’s Thoughts by Scott blog—we pray!  Seek the Lord in prayer and run to Him in the battle.  If you will do this, then satan will have to flee from your defenses in Christ.  To God be the glory!

Questions:

1.  Are you aware that you are in the middle of a cosmic battle and that you have an adversary who hates you?

2.  How well do you resist this enemy?

Prayer: Father, in my own power I am incapable of resisting the devil.  In Christ, however, I am strong and able to stand firm in the faith with which He gives me my His grace.  Help me to walk valiantly for You.  Amen.