Large and in Charge

1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

Though the mid-week Bible Study groups traditionally take a break during the summer months, as this is when school is out and most people take a nice vacation while the weather is so good. Our church has put together an alternative “all church” Wednesday night interactive bible study during this time, which includes an outstanding video presentation, a topical study of the Scriptures on the video subject and group discussion, paired with either a potluck dinner or desert fellowship. My particular home Bible study group asked if we could continue to meet together during the summer, in addition to the church “Family Summer Nights’ series, so every other week we meet here to continue our small group studies. We are just over half way through our study on “Spiritual Warfare and Overcoming the Enemy”.  Many misconceptions about Satan are revealed and brought to light, as some of our preconceived ideas about the devil are driven by fear of the unknown, so learning and knowing the truth dismisses those fears and worries. This last week’s study asked the question: “Have you ever wondered of Satan is free to carry out his plans and attacks on whomever, wherever and whenever he wants? We seem to live in a world that believes that the devil and God have an equal balance of power. But take a closer examination, past the distractions and deceptive lies that fog our view, to the truth see clearly that this fallen angel with limited power and ability is subject to and accountable to his Almighty Creator.

Job 1:9-10 So Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.

How would Satan know that there was a hedge of protection from God around Job unless he attempted to attack him before? But shows that the devil is powerless to do anything against God people when sheltered by the omnipotent Lord. I remember Bruce Wilkinson said, in the book “The Prayer of Jabez”, that we should just give a prayer of gratitude for the hand of God in security that we see, but also for the bad things in life that never made it to our doorstep because of the Lord’s hedge of physical and spiritual protection which we do not see. Satan truly knows who is truly living for God, and he targets those individuals as a threat to his kingdom of darkness. But God, too, is quite aware of what’s happening on earth and the devil cannot get to anyone without God’s permission. It is our Father God who is large and in charge. How comforting that ought to be to us. His power is limited by God. We have the power of the Holy Spirit living in us, so when tempted by the evil one stand firm. Remember, “the Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all” (Psalm 103:19). I remember this old church Hymn that goes: “Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before. Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe; forward into battle see His banners go! At the sign of triumph Satan’s host doth flee; on then, Christian soldiers, on to victory! Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise; brothers lift your voices, loud your anthems raise. Like a mighty army moves the church of God; brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod. We are not divided, all one body we, one in hope and doctrine, one in charity. Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before.”

Fear not, in Christ, Brian