November 15, 2024

Passage Read: 1 Peter 5 - 2 Peter 1
Meditation Verses: 1 Peter 5:8-10

Thought

The devil is prowling around, looking for someone to devour. He is not silent. He hasn't given up, even when we have trusted in Christ and surrendered our lives to Him. He is looking to make us stumble, even to attack us violently to shake our faith. By the grace of God, many of us are spared his violence, but we are not all spared his more subtle attacks. So we must remain vigilant and sober in spirit; even when we think we're in times of peace, we are at war, a cold war of subterfuge. Satan can be bombastic and he can be subtle. We need to be on guard against every test and attack. And when the Lord has finished with our testing, then He will perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish us. Testing comes first, then comes affirmation for those who pass the test.

Application

Even when I think I'm free from testing and all is at peace, especially then do I need to be on the alert, sober minded, watching diligently for Satan's schemes. He didn't come at Jesus in the wilderness with violence, but with subtle tests, and then not so subtle tests. The bread test was perhaps the most insidious for its innocence and subtlety. What harm could come from it? Only he and Jesus would know. Was there really anything so bad about it? Doesn't God care for our basic needs? Just one loaf of bread! But Jesus recognized the test; even in His physical weakness, He remained sober-minded and vigilant. It was Satan, after all. I especially need to watch for things that seem all right, but are even just a little off.