Resist Him

Resist Him

The devil, like a roaring lion, is seeking whom he may devour. “Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are perfected in the brothers throughout the world.” 1 Pet. 5:7-9.

When the sufferings come, we are inclined to give the devil room. Then he sows doubt into our hearts. He tempts us to murmur and reproach God and man. Then he explains to us that things should have been different, that it is unjust, and that we deserved better treatment from God and man. This is where it is easy for him to fool us with his care. But resist him, steadfast in the faith, because we know that he is a liar, even though we may feel he is speaking the truth and wish that we were in different circumstances. In verse 7 Peter says, “Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” In this faith we can give thanks to God the Father for all things. We don’t always understand God’s care, because His thoughts are so much higher than our thoughts as the heavens are above the earth. It is His desire to lead us into the kingdom of God, which we enter through many tribulations. Acts 14:22. The devil wants to hinder us from entering the kingdom of God, which is why he wants to cause us to be dissatisfied with the tribulations. Jesus understood this, which is why He said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan, for you do not have a sense for the things of God, but only for the things of man.” Man has a sense for sparing himself, but we will never enter the kingdom of God in this way. If we want to enter the kingdom of God, we have to lay our life down, and this is what God wants to help us to do with all His might, by His wisdom and His care. He guides all things. Therefore let us resist the devil, grounded in this faith and steadfast. Then the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, will perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle us after a short time of suffering. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen!