The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. - John 10:10
Meditation:
It was not a typical Sunday. I had to wake up 3:30 in the morning because it was Easter Sunday and must go to church early for the celebration. Afternoon was spent teaching pre-encounter seminar; later part of the day was spent supporting the youth service and troubleshooting personal problems of some brethren. Arriving home I shouted, “pahinga naman!” then retired to my bed that evening so exhausted only to be awaken by insistent ringing of my cellphone at 12 midnight. Thinking it’s a call from Dubai from my son Ryan, I went outside groping for network signal only to hear a familiar voice asking for an answer to the dumbest trivia question of the night. Rochelle, my daughters classmate, laughing and asked, “Daddy, anu ba sagot sa tanong na, What is greater than God, worse than devil and if you eat “it” you will die?” Honestly I nearly lost my attitude but managed to answer her politely; “the answer is NOTHING, NOTHING is greater than God, NOTHING is worse than devil and if you eat NOTHING, you will die.”
Although such statement was just an answer to a trivia question, it speaks volume of truth specially the first two phrases. Nothing is really greater than God and nothing is worse than the devil. In our text for today, Jesus talks about the true nature and purpose of the devil in man’s life, it is to steal, kill, and destroy. Satan is bent to steal man’s soul and being a thief he will come to you in way you do not know. Satan uses “attacks” but his most effective weapon is “attract”. Even Jesus Himself did not escape the craftiness and deceitfulness of Satan. During Jesus most difficult time while fasting in the wilderness, Satan gave Jesus “attractive” offers in the area of flesh and pride of life. But Jesus being filled with the Holy Spirit did not give an inch to the devil.
Someone said that if you will sup with the devil you have to use a long spoon but honestly there is no spoon long enough to be safe from him. If you will give the tip of your finger to the devil, he will swallow your whole hand. Satan is bent to destroy man, the object of God’s love. He is so cunning and uses million ways to trap man to sin and destroy his life. The countless suffering of millions ever since is but a grim testimony of Satan’s worst. Is there a hope for mankind? Yes, because there is God who is greater than all. Jesus at the cross is a slap to the evil nature of Satan. In every way Jesus was tempted yet committed no sin. Was it easy for Jesus to live as a man? No, it wasn’t easy but He was bent to obey His Father and save mankind and the only tool that Jesus used to defeat Satan was His love for us. At the cross, the greatness of God was displayed and the foolishness of Satan was demolished.
HOW’S LIFE MY FRIEND? I WISH YOU ARE DOING GREAT. IS YOUR LIFE IN A MESS? PERHAPS YOU SUPPED WITH THE DEVIL IN THE PAST. IF THAT IS THE CASE JUST SHOUT THE PASSWORD; “LORD JESUS HELP ME!” GOD IS NOT ONLY LORD, HE IS OUR FRIEND AND DELIVERER AND NO MATTER WHAT TRAP YOU ARE IN HE CAN RESCUE YOU. HE IS GREATER THAN ANY SUPERHEROES YOU KNOW AND NO ONE CAN STOP HIM ONCE HE RESCUES YOU. REMEMBER THIS TRUTH; NOTHING IS GREATER THAN GOD.
Psalms 91:2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." 3Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare.
Smile :)
Ptr. Roger
