DON'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!

Date: Sun Jul 29 23:00:31 2007

Many people have been victims of abuse. Women have been beaten by their husbands. In Iran they are prohibited even from riding a bicycle! Workers are abused on their jobs. They are fired on the day before they would get benefits. They are managed like yo-yoís in terms of the hours they can work and when. People with credit cards who have paid their counts religiously have their rates raised to the sky because of a perceived drop in credit-worthiness.

Though some abuse the word abuse ñsome students think it is abuse to have to do homework and some employees think it is abuse to actually have to perform the duties of their jobs ñ there IS plenty of real abuse to go around. I really feel for those who are abused. I am most concerned for those who are abused and who take it sitting down. Such is the case with the abuse that Satan piles on people. Satan steals peopleís peace. He messes with their money. He takes their children. He afflicts their souls. Yet people either just jut out their jaw or steel for the worst. Some even pray in a manner that for all practical matters is an ascent that God, not the devil is behind it all!

Many identify with the Old Testament character named Job. I know I have. What many forget is that God did not afflict Job in any fashion ñ it was Satan! Satan took his health, his family, and his money! However, we all know that God ALLOWED it. What is the practical difference? If God removes his protection from someone, and lets the devil have his way to ANY degree, how is that different from God doing the damage himself?

First, God set parameters. Satan required Godís permission to touch Job at all. He was secure in God. Note that we are also secure in God. Satan CANNOT touch us unless God permits, and Satan can ONLY touch us to the extent God permits. God is in control ALL the time, and NOTHING can happen without his permission. This is the PERMISSIVE will of God.

Now there are, times when we are CHASTENED. Do not confuse the two. We are chastened by God and in Hebrews 12:6 we are told that this is required of EVERY son who is received by the Father. We must not chafe when we are chastened, or when we are pruned in accordance with John chapter 15. John writes in verse 2 that every branch that BEARS fruit is pruned by GOD in order that it may bring forth more fruit. Being fruitful does not exempt one from pruning ñ fruitfulness in fact requires it. So every child of God received by the Father is chastened and every fruitful child of God is pruned. We have no right to resist these works of God. We need to be purified and we need to grow correctly. So why am I saying ñ ìDonít Take it Anymore!î?

What right to we therefore have to resist what is happening to us? With God, we donít, but with Satan, we do. We have the right because God gave us the right. (James 4:6-8) ìBut he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ëGod opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.í Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.î We must be sure we are submitted to God and are fully repentant. Then we can tell the devil to leave us, and he will do so. He has to. God is in control!

We must also follow I Peter 5:8-10, ìBe self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.î We have to live with the understanding that many are suffering worldwide. We must have the faith that any suffering we have is temporary - it will only last a little while ñ and then God will restore us and make us strong again. Unless we are being called to lay down our physical life for the gospel, such as was the case with Paul and Peter and others, we have the promise that any suffering we experience is limited! God be praised.

Some teach suffering should be non-existent in the Victorious Christianís life, but that is not what the Bible says. My friends, submit to God, and to his chastenings and to his prunings, but when Satan has been allowed to touch your life, be sure first of all you are where you are supposed to be in Christ. Then resist the devil and he WILL flee. Donít take it any more! Dwell in the secret place of the most high, under the shadow of the Almighty. Live the promises of Psalm 19 every day.