Satan is a thief

Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt

Something the Lord taught me a long time ago that has made me more resilient in the face of adversity and more merciful when people do dumb things that may hurt me is to understand that people (including myself) are highly fallible. We all unintentionally create pain that touches and impacts one another and makes us feel that life is tough and not fair!

Psalms 34:19 NKJV says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivers him out of them all.” What does this verse tell us? The bad news is that many attacks come against good, godly people. The good news is that God WILL deliver you, as you trust in Him, from them all!

Why do afflictions even happen to us in our life? Why do bad things happen to good people? That’s been one of the most asked questions of all time. It’s a question I have answered in Fresh Manna many times and will do so again here today. Bad things primarily happen to good people for two reasons. First, when we yield to sin, we open ourselves up to consequences that hurt and create pain in our lives. But what about when bad things happen, and we’ve done nothing wrong? The second reason will be over-simplified and a quick answer for today—but a good one! It’s because Satan is the god of this world. He hates all of God’s creation—everything that God has created, including mankind! Satan has always worked to ruin and pervert the good God intended for our lives. Jesus said in John 10:10, “The thief (Satan) does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I (Jesus) have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly.”

Jesus came into this earth not only to redeem us but to teach us how to stand against and overcome the enemy of our souls. Jesus and His word teach us how to function as vessels of His love, bringing restoration to others. Jesus came to bring hope and good news to the poor in spirit, healing to the sick—those Satan has inflicted, and mercy to the sinner. He came to bring instruction and insight into the true character and love of God. He also came to take upon Himself our punishment for the sins we’ve committed. He did so at the cross and in the belly of Hell. 1 John 3:8 says, “… For this purpose, the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” Jesus took our punishment and returned love to us for the rejection we showed Him. Talk about responding to what is unfair with love and turning our lives from bad to good!

Life is not fair, but one day, it will be. Read Revelation 21:1-5 NIV, and you’ll get a glimpse through the veil of the unseen into our future. “…now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away…”

This is a day that every Christian looks forward to, but in the meantime, in this life, don’t try to look for fairness. What I mean by that is this: I know that not every good thing I do is going to get the response I might hope for. I know that not everything I do for others is going to be noticed or appreciated. It would be easy to get discouraged when you aren’t appreciated or noticed for what you do that is good. Yet I am sure there have been many kind things done for me that I’ve not noticed or appropriately appreciated. I have learned not to depend on people for my validation or rewards. I purpose to do what I do with a rightly motivated heart and do it sacrificially unto the Lord. I know that He notices everything and that He alone is my rewarder in all things and my defender in all trials. Colossians 3:23-24 NIV puts it like this. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”

Life on this earth may not seem fair, but one day, God will make all things just and fair. Everything you’ve done and sown in life from a godly perspective and right heart, despite how others have responded, will receive its blessing and reward. Mark 9:41 (NIV) says, “I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.”

God is watching and does care! He will respond to your right heart. As you believe the promise and keep your faith engaged, He will defend you and turn what the devil meant for evil for good. He will turn mourning into laughing. He will turn calamity into a blessing! This is why Jesus said, “Be it done according to your faith.” Things may seem unfair, but the believer who lives a life of faith and trust will see God turn the unfair into blessing again and again. And so, remember this encouragement from God to defeat the feelings of Life isn’t fair. Galatians 6:9 (NLT) “So don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessings at the appropriate time.”

Finally, remember the words of 2 Thessalonians 1:5-8 (NIV): “All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result, you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.”

In His love,
Pastor Tim Burt

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