What happens when you feel that you have done everything you are supposed to do, like paying your tithe, giving offerings, volunteering to feed the poor, take meals on wheels, work in the nursery on Sunday morning when you would rather be sitting in the service, and sing in the choir, then you pray and feel the heavens are brass, no answer? I saw someone today to whom that scenario applies, a person who is kind, gentle, good, gives generously of their income and volunteers to help the elderly and anyone that is down on their luck, yet when I saw them their eyes were brimming with un-spilt tears and a look that would melt your heart. It is at times like this that I would give everything in me to be rich enough to solve the problem at hand. What do you say? The truth is so simple it sounds cliché, that is, when you are doing good it is the devil’s job to try you at every level, to see if you will turn aside from your faith so that he can devour you, body and soul. When Job was tried, he suffered the loss of his family and his properties, plus he was covered with boils! He sat on a dung heap and scraped them with a broken piece of pottery, just trying to feel better. He went from bad to worse and then his wife capped it all off by asking him why he didn’t just “curse God and die”! Job was faithful in the face of losing everything and then endured all his well meaning friends, commonly referred to as “Job’s comforters”, telling him that he must have lived in sin or displeased God in some way or this would not be happening to him. It wasn’t until Job, feeling lower than a snake’s belly actually prayed for those “friends” that God put a halt to all that Satan had put on him. From that point his fortune began to rebuild, he had more children, he regained his properties, he had it all and on top of that, seven times more! WOW! Satan had thrown it up to God that He had protected Job, and said “Does Job serve God for nothing? You have put a hedge around him!” That is when God gave Satan permission to try Job in whatever way he wanted, except he could not take his life. I am sure there were times that Job, and perhaps YOU, have wished you could just die to get out of all your troubles. But consider this, have you armed yourself against this enemy of your soul? Ephesians 6:12-18 And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.
Are YOU having a hard time? Does it feel like your prayers are hitting the ceiling and falling back in your face? Arm yourself! Pull up those armed drawers and Fight!
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