Today’s Scripture: Genesis 3:1-3
Several years ago, a widow with ten adult children shared with me a promise that God had given her from Acts 16:31 – “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” At that time, only one of her children was saved, but she was believing that none of them would be lost.
A few years after our conversation we received news that her oldest son, Nino, had been involved in a fatal car accident. Immediately I thought of this praying mother and her confidence in God that all of her children would be saved. Nino was one of the nine who was lost.
As more information about the accident unfolded, we learned that just prior to the accident, Nino had left the parking lot of a store. He stopped at a red light where the car behind him crashed into his, pushing Nino’s vehicle into the busy intersection. His car was broadsided by an oncoming vehicle. Authorities later said that the impact of the crash should have killed him immediately.
One of the store employees, who happened to be a Christian, witnessed the accident. She ran to his car and, finding Nino still conscious, asked him if he was ready to meet the Lord. He responded that he was not. God let Nino live for twenty minutes, just enough time for him to accept the Lord and then be called into eternity.
At the funeral, Nino’s mother found comfort in the joy of knowing her son had accepted Christ before he died. Her statement of faith showed tremendous confidence in God: “I would rather my children be saved and die young than live to be old and die without the Lord. God knows what He’s doing.” This grieving mother never doubted God’s promise because she took God at His word. Satan would love nothing more than to make us lose trust by questioning the omniscience of God.
This week, let’s examine Satan’s plan to destroy our relationship with the Lord, but then reaffirm how the enemy can be soundly defeated.
The late Dr. Stanley Horton, theologian and educator, defined a lie as any intention to deceive. Even what we like to call “little white lies” fall in the category of deception. If our intention is to mislead, no lie, regardless of how big or small, is innocent.
I find it interesting that the first question recorded in scripture was posed by the ultimate deceiver, Satan. “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The devil wasn’t seeking information. He was simply planting a seed of doubt in Eve’s mind. God never told Adam and Eve they could not eat from any tree. His instructions were for them to avoid only that one specific tree (see Gen. 2:16-17).
Someone once referred to the mind as the devil’s playground, and “second-guessing” is his favorite game. He plays with our heads just enough to cause us to question God’s integrity. If he can make us doubt the Lord just a little, in time we will begin to doubt Him a lot. Once we doubt, we lose trust.
- What promise has God given you that has not yet been fulfilled?
- How has Satan tried to cast doubt into your mind? What do you do to keep your trust in God?
I believe He has promised my daughter’s healing and my faith is strong. By His stripes we were healed, past tense. Also, we walk by faith and it by sight. God is indeed in charge.
Satan has tried, and still tries to cast doubt. The very word, cancer, is doubtful. But as I keep my eyes fixed on the one who has no doubt, I know He is faithful to complete the good work He has begun in my girl, from the date of her conception and before!
Thanks for sharing, Deb. God is indeed faithful! Don’t lose hope in Who God is and what He can do.
The devil tries to cast doubt on my spiritual growth. Some things are harder than others with this walk and when I make mistakes I can start believing the lies the devil speaks and become impatient and start having disbelief that I can change or grow. But the Lord gave me a comforting word recently;
2nd Corinthians 3:18
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Good word, Brandon. You’re using the Word the way it should be used. And I, for one, can attest to your spiritual growth. You’ve come a long way. Don’t stop!