“Satan’s strategy is to use trials to lead us away from the hope we have in Christ.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – October 8, 2024
This I recall to mind, therefore I have hope. Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:21-23
When I was a young woman, my grandmother told me that during the time when people still died at home in log cabins, that wolves crouched at the doors, howling, and scratching, trying to get in. They could smell death, and they wanted to take advantage of a weak victim.
The same is true for us. It is often in our darkest moments that Satan seeks to attack and to sow seeds of doubt in our minds about God’s love and power. His goal is to separate us from our trust in Him and cast shadows on God’s goodness, faithfulness, and promises by causing us to ask tormenting questions of doubt such as, “Will God come through for me?” “Does God really love me?” “Can God really protect me?” and “Am I alone?” But praise the Lord! Our Father has called us to victory, to overcome doubt and the evil one by hanging onto God’s truth.
Here’s how we can confidently say, “Doubt, get behind me!”
Whenever you’re dealing with doubt, take those doubtful thoughts captive. Grab onto them and send them packing by replacing them with God’s truth. You may need to speak truth aloud repeatedly many times a day as you embrace by faith—not your feelings— but what the Lord has truly said. We must immerse ourselves in the promises of God.
Isaiah 26:3 assures us, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusts in you.” I invite you to meditate on the truth of God’s Word and replace lies with His unchanging promises.
This is not a “do-it-once-and-everything-will-be-okay” practice. To do battle with the enemy means that he will repeatedly come after us. Scripture says Satan left Jesus “until a more opportune time” when he tempted him in the wilderness in Luke 4:13. Just because the devil couldn’t tempt Jesus into sin then doesn’t mean he wouldn’t try again later.
We are called to be “sober and vigilant” in 1 Peter 5:8 “because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
Perhaps the Lord has revealed personal promises to you about your future. Perhaps He has shown you how He will use you for His glory, how He will heal your marriage, how He will save a family member. When the enemy attempts to make you afraid, hold onto the promises God has given you. When your circumstances don’t look like God is being faithful or will be faithful, remember what He has personally promised you, for He who promised is faithful. I have done this repeatedly during times of personal struggle and it has given me peace more times than I can count.
When doubt begins to creep in, remember how God has been faithful in the past. Recounting His past provision and deliverance builds our confidence that He will carry us through again (Psalm 77:11-12). It also is a reminder that God does not change. If He was faithful then, He will be faithful now.
Satan often works in isolation. When we pull away from fellowship with other believers during hard times, we become more susceptible to doubt. Ecclesiastes 4:12 reminds us that “a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Surround yourself with a community of believers who will encourage and remind you of God’s truth when doubt arises, and pray together. Prayer is protection against the adversary and His lies and is protection when we are tired and need encouragement.
Ultimately, Satan’s strategy is to use trials to lead us away from the hope we have in Christ. But as believers, we have the armor of God to resist the enemy’s schemes (Ephesians 6:10-18). When we equip ourselves with truth, righteousness, faith, and the Word of God, doubt has no power to overthrow our trust in the One who is ever faithful.
“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13).
Prayer
Jesus, during trials help me to trust You. Guard my heart against the seeds of doubt that the enemy tries to plant. Strengthen my faith, remind me of Your promises, and give me peace as I cling to Your truth. Surround me with Your love and guide me through every storm. Amen.
Application
Put one of these things in this devotional into practice.
Related Reading
Genesis 3:1; Zephaniah 3:17; Ephesians 6:10-18
Worship Resource
Aware Worship feat. Mark Gutierrez: Trust in God
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