September 19
Isaiah 31:12-33:9 | PS 63:1-11 | Prov 23:22 | Gal 5:1-12
Make no mistake about it, Satan is wreaking havoc on our world. In every area: education, politics, abortion, marriage, the trend is toward godlessness, and this trend is occurring at blinding speed. But this is not a new story. As Solomon put it, “There is nothing new under the sun”. From the book of Job, Satan is only allowed to do what God allows him to do. From that same book, Job was not tasked with finding worldly responses to fight back against Satan. He was to fix his eyes on God. As Christians, yes, we see the attack, as you can’t miss it if you hold to a biblical worldview. But what of our response? Are we doubling down on getting our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of the race? Or, are we complaining, troubleshooting, placing our hopes on a new political wave or movement. There is nothing wrong with fighting back against injustice, but are we placing our hopes on God, relying less on other things, or, are we placing our hopes on the other things, relying less on God?
Scripture reveals that our times are not that unique. Yes, I, along with many Christians, believe end times are being ushered in. But, throughout the preceding generations right up to the present, evil had to be confronted. We read from Isaiah 30:15-16, “For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” But you would not, And you said, “No, for we will flee on horses”— Therefore you shall flee! And, “We will ride on swift horses”—Therefore those who pursue you shall be swift!” Again, God clearly rebukes their response in 31:1, “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, And rely on horses, Who trust in chariots because they are many, And in horsemen because they are very strong, But who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, Nor seek the Lord!” In Scripture, Egypt is a type of the flesh. When Israel got in trouble, instead of seeking God, they sought after the flesh or the world to save them.
We need to ask ourselves what is it during these chaotic times that truly bothers us. Does it bother us that God is being insulted, misrepresented with each new movement and bit of legislation? Or, are we angry at Satan’s vessels? Do we scream for justice against these individuals who seem to continually get away with things. We must remember that all Scripture is inspired, and in Ephesians 6:12, we read, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” We are God’s vessels, His ambassadors. As such, our eyes need to be on our Commander, not on Satan’s emissaries. At times like this, we need to sharpen our focus and place our hopes on Jesus.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: