"Satan hindered us."
— 1 Thessalonians 2:18
Since the first hour in which goodness came into conflict with evil, it
has never ceased to be true in spiritual experience, that Satan hinders
us. From all points of the compass, all along the line of battle, in
the vanguard and in the rear, at the dawn of day and in the midnight
hour, Satan hinders us. If we toil in the field, he seeks to break the
ploughshare; if we build the wall, he labours to cast down the stones;
if we would serve God in suffering or in conflict-everywhere Satan
hinders us. He hinders us when we are first coming to Jesus Christ.
Fierce conflicts we had with Satan when we first looked to the cross
and lived. Now that we are saved, he endeavours to hinder the
completeness of our personal
character. You may be congratulating
yourself, "I have hitherto walked consistently; no man can challenge my
integrity." Beware of boasting, for your virtue will yet be tried;
Satan will direct his engines against that very virtue for which you
are the most famous. If you have been hitherto a firm believer, your
faith will ere long be attacked; if you have been meek as Moses, expect
to be tempted to speak unadvisedly with your lips. The birds will peck
at your ripest fruit, and the wild boar will dash his tusks at your
choicest vines. Satan is sure to hinder us when we are earnest in
prayer. He checks our importunity, and weakens our faith in order that,
if possible, we may miss the blessing. Nor is Satan less vigilant in
obstructing Christian effort. There was never a revival of religion
without a revival of his opposition. As soon as Ezra and Nehemiah begin
to labour, Sanballat and Tobiah are stirred up to hinder them. What
then?
We are not alarmed because Satan hindereth us, for it is a proof
that we are on the Lord’s side, and are doing the Lord’s work, and in
his strength we shall win the victory, and triumph over our adversary.
Morning & Evening is the classic devotional by 19th-century writer
and preacher Charles Spurgeon.
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Received this email from my mom today. It’s a nice encouragement for the weak in all aspects. As things start to crumble, As I vehemently resist entering into a state of depression, nothing can be more encouraging than this.
"Jesus, I am weak
Your strength is all I need
Let me take no shortcut
Make me follow your lead
Help me die so I might live"
-No Shortcuts, LCDC 2006 Theme song
*Asian food expo pala ngayon.There’s always next year…
