Daily Bread_November 18, 2013

Title: The Risks that the Servant of God Faces

Text:

Psalm 140:1-5 (HCSB)
¹ Rescue me, LORD, from evil men. Keep me safe from violent men
² who plan evil in their hearts. They stir up wars all day long.
³ They make their tongues as sharp as a snake's bite; viper's venom is under their lips. Selah
⁴ Protect me, LORD, from the clutches of the wicked. Keep me safe from violent men who plan to make me stumble.
⁵ The proud hide a trap with ropes for me; they spread a net along the path and set snares for me. Selah

Observation:

This world is not a friendly place for God's servants. I read last week of a pastor who committed suicide on a Sunday morning; he sent his family to church, and he was to follow later. However, he did not show up at church. His wife went home to check on him, and found him dead in his truck of a gunshot wound. This has sent a shockwave through the Christian community in Georgia.

The reasons for the suicide is not in view here; however, you can be sure that Satan does work havoc in the lives of pastors, leaders and members of the church. The Devil will oppose anyone who is attempting to do God's will. He did it to David, and he will do it to you.

Ephesians 6:12 (HCSB)
¹² For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.

Two of the devices that Satan uses are false accusations, and traps and snares. Regretfully, most of these evil people are from within the Church; not from the outside. Don't allow the enemy to use you to accomplish his purposes.

Today's warning is be aware of your adversary. Tomorrow we will examine the tools that are available to overcome the attacks of Satan and his imps.

1 Peter 5:8 (HCSB)
⁸ Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.

Prayer:

Father God, Sovereign Lord, my dear Father, I am so thankful that we don't have to face the onslaught of the Devil in our strength alone; we have a helper, and He is the Holy Spirit of God. Father, help us to learn to lean hard on Jesus. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

--

Proverbs 30:5 (ESV)
⁵ Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Psalm 119:11 (ESV)
¹¹ I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

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