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Sunday, December 27, 2009

The Attacks of the Devil

One thing is assured: The devil will attack you if you diligently serve the LORD. How will he attack? We can look at the story of Job to see the answer.

The devil will attack your family. He will destroy them if possible. He will attack their health and their relationship to you. All of Job's children were killed by the devil's attacks. You can do nothing more than pray for your family. 

The devil will attack your provision. He will remove anything you have saved. He will take away your job. He will work to make you destitute. All of Job's crops, servants, camels, oxen, donkeys and sheep were taken from him. You can do nothing more than depend upon the Lord to provide.

The devil will attack your health. He may work to take away your life. Job developed sore boils from the top of his head to the soles of his feet. He was in agony. You will go to the doctors but you can do nothing more than trust in the Lord for healing.

The results of his attacks will mean that the relationship with your spouse will be strained. The devil has been very active with his attacks on the family. Many husband-wife relationships are in trouble because of Satan's attacks. You should make sure that this bond is always secure.

The results will mean that the fellowship with others will be strained too. Friends will not be as friends when they lead you away from the Lord. The church is always full of the devil's agents to spread disharmony. You should strive to forgive. You should ask for forgiveness when you have done something wrong. You should make fellowship very important.

Ultimately, the devil is working to destroy your faith. He wants you to turn your back on God. Many people do. They look at the bad times they have had and decide that walking with God didn't pay off. They will cease to praise God. They will be absent from worship. They will be like those who are practical atheist. Their words may say they believe but their actions will proclaim a different message.

Yet, the devil could not have attacked you if God had not given him permission. He gave his permission to attack Job. He gave him permission to attack Simon Peter. God has confidence in you if He has given the devil permission to attack. He will provide again when the attack is over.

Job received more children, more provisions and his health. He was blessed by God for his faithfulness during the trying times.

You will be too. Hang on to your faith. It is all you have left in the end. Whatever you are going through will pass. Also,  keep praying for those who need faith to carry them too.

Job 42:10 (NIV)
   After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before.

 

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