September 14th

Hijacking the Lo-Jacker

And the LORD said to Satan, From where do you come?' So Satan answered the LORD and said, From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.' Then the LORD said to Satan, Have you considered My servant Job...?' And the LORD said to Satan, Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.' Job 1:7-8,12

Have you ever wondered about Satan? A lot of people do.

The Bible teaches us that Satan is real, just as real as God, you, and me. But hopefully this is not where our understanding ends, because Satan is not the opposite of God, His evil arch nemesis, or the yin to God's yang.

The fact is that God created Satan, not as the fallen angel he is now, but as one of the chief archangels of Heaven named Lucifer. However, Lucifer fell when he became selfish and proud, desiring God's position for himself.

Our verses for today show us three important things we should know about the devil, three limitations to his abilities and strategies.

First, he is not omnipresent-he can only be in one place at any given time. This is unlike and unequal to God, who can be in all places in all times.

Second, he is not omniscient-he doesn't know everything. This means that he doesn't know what you're going to think before you think it. God does, however, and as a result, you can trust in a God who knows your thoughts and can give the devil a royal beat down in your life. Satan can't know anything except what he learns through observation, but God knows your heart.

Third, he is not omnipotent-he is not all powerful. He can only do what he is given permission to do. This is a truth you can take to the bank. There is not anything that happens to you or in your life that is outside of God's control. Satan cannot hijack God's plans for your life and ruin you, because God is in charge and He is watching over you to make sure that His plans come to pass.

The trick is that we have to trust God even when times are hard. Don't let yourself curse God when life is hard. Instead, remember the truth that God will redeem you and hold fast to the end.

Prayer Lord God,

Thank You that You are Lord and God, and that the devil has no authority over my life! I choose to trust You no matter what, and believe that You will restore good to me no matter what happens.

Amen