Strength Training

A friend once emailed me this:

The SIX Times The Devil is Most Likely to Attack:

1. When you are physically tired.
2. Whenever you face a major decision regarding your assignment in life.
3. Whenever you are birthing a child that is destined to become a spiritual leader.
4. When a specific miracle is on its way to you.
5. When you make an effort to launch a new ministry for God.
6. When you are next in line for a promotion from God.

I printed it out and keep it hung up on my bulletin board at home.  I have had to refer myself to it from time to time.  For a Christian to believe in God's blessings and not to believe that the devil will attack them shows a lack of faith and an unreal outlook upon faith.  Planet earth is a spiritual battle ground and the devil would love nothing more than for Christians to not believe in him or his attacks.

The book of Job gives us a kind of behind the scenes look of this battle.  The devil or Satan goes before God and accuses Job.  He is the "accuser of the faith".  Satan does not have free will over a believer, God limits him to serve His purpose.  God allowed Satan to "sift Peter" when Jesus was crucified.  If God would allow Satan to sift Peter why would he not allow Satan to sift believers today?  That is why I keep the "Six Times The Devil is Most Likely to Attack" on my bulletin board.

I read the first few chapters of Job today for my devotions.  I also was reading in the New Testament when 1 Peter 5 opened up.  When this happens I read the text to see if something applies to me, and today it did, it fit perfectly with what I was reading in Job.  1 Peter 5:6-7 "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."  Numbers 2-6 for Satanic attack all have to do with opportunities, blessings and leadership, all of these can lead to the sin of pride and self reliance.  Sometimes we need a little help in the humility department and that is where God sometimes can use Satan to attack us.  Notice at the end of the verse "that he may lift you up in due time", a blessing is to come.

1Peter 5:8-9 "Be self-controlled and alert.  Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings."  Satan is always looking for an opportunity to accuse believers.  That is why we should be self-controlled and alert.  Also note that "your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of suffering" this is universal for all Christians.  It is not a rare thing, it is a part of the Christian life.

1Peter 5:10-11 sums up the purpose of this blog "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.  To him be the power for ever and ever.  Amen."  In order to become strong you have to have resistance.  I will not become stronger if I keep lifting an amount of weight that does not challenge me and give me resistance.  In preparing us for God's service he allows the Devil to attack us, this brings about the humility, understanding of the battle we are in and the strength we need to serve God and accomplish His purpose.  Strength training is not fun, but is necessary for warriors in a battle.  When going through a stength training session it may seem like a long time but God's timing is perfect, "after you have suffered a little while", the blessings will come and you will be equipped and ready for battle where God has placed you.  The bigger the task the more strength training required.  Keep in mind the purpose of the strength training and the blessings that follow, God, "will HIMSELF restore you and make YOU STRONG, FIRM and STEADFAST."  A battle ready warrior ready to serve his or her King. 

So do not be surprised when you are attacked by the devil and remember when you are going through strength training to stand firm, be self-controlled, alert and rely on God's grace to get you through.  His promises are true; He promises trials, suffering, strength and blessings.