Saturday, October 19, 2013

Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms ...

UPON THE BATTLE-PLAIN

If God's little word can topple Satan ... well, no wonder he wants get rid of it! But he cannot touch it. It is written, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away" (Matthew 24:35). So Satan tries to throw a blanket over God's words. That was the devil's goal when he approached Eve so long ago: that she disbelieve God's Word "in the day you eat of it, you shall surely die!"

"You shall not surely die," whispers the serpent. "Let's be scientific about this, Eve. When have you actually seen anyone die? You will learn a lot more by following me." Today he still would have us distrust Christ's word: "I am the resurrection and the life." Can you hear him? "Resurrection? Let's be scientific about this. When have you actually seen anyone rise from the dead?"

Whether physical threats or lies and deceit are used, Satan is battling to separate us from that "little word," from Jesus, who purchased our forgiveness with His own death on the cross.

But He's by our side. "I will be with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:20). And the Word will remain, no thanks to Satan or his helpers. Thanks be to God, who rules!

The Word they still shall let remain,
Nor any thanks have for it.
He's by our side upon the plain
With His good gifts and spirit
And take they our life,
Goods, fame, child, and wife,
Though these all be gone, they yet have nothing won,
The Kingdom ours remaineth!
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 262:4)