When I was in the fourth grade, at the age of nine, I was one of the smallest boys in school. The smallest boy in school is typically going to get picked on just because he's an easy target. I worked out some by doing push-ups and lifting weights so that I wasn't a complete pushover, but just my size made me feel like I was wearing a sign that said, "I'm the smallest guy around. Come pick on me!"
One of my very best friends at school happened to be the biggest and strongest kid in our age group. We had become great friends and were always together at school. Consequently, for anyone to get to me, they had to go through him. I wasn't stupid. I knew I was safe because of him, but I didn't take advantage of the situation and antagonize guys just because I had a big friend. I was simply grateful that I did. I was extremely grateful for his friendship. Not only was he a great friend, but having him with me also saved me from being picked on.
That's really the way it is with the Lord. We live in a world defiled by Satan and sin. To call Satan a bully would be an understatement. He’s worse. I would compare him to a depraved, drive-by shooter who indiscriminately hates and will kill anyone. Jesus described him as the one who has come "to kill, steal, and destroy."
I recently heard a Bible teacher on television say that God brings and allows adversity to test and strengthen our character, hope, and faith. I highly respect this person and his ministry, but on this one point, he's very wrong. God never brought adversity in the Garden of Eden to Adam and Eve, nor would it have come if they hadn't sinned. It came because of their sin. Sin—and consequently, death (and everything leading up to death)—came to us all because of sin. It defiled the world! Romans 5:12 (TLB) says, "When Adam sinned, sin entered the entire human race. Adam's sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned."
Sin brought enough adversity for a lifetime for each person. God doesn’t have to bring adversity to us. It comes like weeds in a garden—with no effort or help from anyone. You never plant those weeds, yet somehow, they show up. You have to remove or kill them, lest they overtake your garden or lawn. And in the same way, you need to resist the trouble that comes from Satan's hand in your life. It's not people we fight. It's “…principalities, and powers, and rulers of darkness” (Ephesians 6:12 KJV). It’s also temptations revealing our weakest areas, trying to make us feel powerless, helpless, and like failures at personal restraint!
All sin is rooted in lust and self-centeredness, stemming from wrong, selfish choices. The ugly consequences of sin have touched all of our lives. It is the source of every evil in the world, and it spills over into our lives, creating a world of adversity. Again, like weeds in a garden, they just show up!
Jesus is the big friend we have in life. His Holy Spirit lives within us. He helps us become "strong in the Lord and in the power of His might!" (Ephesians 6:10 KJV). Though sin came to all men and made us weak—Satan’s prey to be picked on—Jesus brought us righteousness to help us be "bold as a lion!"
Romans 5:17 (NLT) says, "The sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over us, but all who receive God's wonderful, gracious gift of righteousness will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ.”
1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV) warns us, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour." Satan impersonates a lion, but WE ARE TO BECOME AS BOLD AS A LION! He seeks those he may devour—those who don’t know how to resist him. But we, the righteous, are called to be bold as a lion and command him to flee in Jesus’ name! Read in your Bible what demons did when Jesus showed up on the scene. They should cower when they see your boldness! Don't be one who cowers at the first sign of trouble. When you feel the attack of the enemy coming against you in your life, remember to roar! We have a big friend named Jesus! The righteous will lift their head and roar, saying, "No, flee in Jesus' name!" Continue... "Thank you, Lord, for being with me and in me! You are my divine protection. You have given your angels charge over me. I thank you for always watching over me. In Jesus' name! Amen!"
Be like David and arise in His grace and sling God's promises at Satan like David slung a rock at Goliath. Why? Because the righteous are as bold as a lion! You have a the biggest friend of all! His name is Jesus.
James 4:7 (NKJV) says, "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
In His love,
Pastor Tim Burt
