6 Minute Read + Scripture readings
Today’s Bible Reading:
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.”
Romans 16:20 (CSB)
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
Kim and I recently had a group from our Sunday School class come to our home for food and games. During the game, in which there was a lot of laughter, someone said: “There’s no way that I can possibly win! So I’m just going to mess everyone else up!”
She laughed. Everyone laughed. It was funny!
Then a profound thought came to my mind. A biblical principle became crystal clear at that moment. It would have been better if I had kept it to myself. But I blurted it out before I had the chance to zip my lips. I looked at her and said, “That’s exactly what Satan is doing.”
I didn’t mean to create an awkward moment. That statement had nothing to do with the young lady who made the comment. I was simply verbalizing a thought that came to mind regarding why Satan is so motivated to steal, kill, and destroy everything he can get his hands on.
“There’s no way that he can possibly win. So he’s just going to mess everyone else up.”
We live in a broken world right now. In the past week, I’ve visited some really sick folks in the hospital. I’ve attended a visitation for a young man who killed himself. I’ve heard a heartwrenching story of a marriage break-up and young children who will now have a ‘new normal.’ On and on I could go with all of the horrible mess that we are forced to endure while on planet earth.
Why is it happening? One of the big reasons is because Satan knows that there is no way that he can win. The final chapters of the earth’s story are written (the book of Revelation). That playbook has been given to Satan. Yet, God is so infinitely powerful and Satan is so helpless that he cannot do anything about it. So he is wreaking havoc on the earth.
1 Peter 5:8 (CSB): “Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.”
So, what’s the answer? Is there no hope? Will anything be done about the injustice of Satan’s work in so many of our lives?
Romans 16:20 (CSB): “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.”
This verse takes us all the way back to Genesis 3:15 where this same language is used of Jesus. Satan will soon be defeated, finally and completely. The pain and injustice that he has caused will be over. And God will, in some way, allow us to participate in his final defeat.
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Lord Jesus, thank You that Satan will soon be defeated. Thank You that I will be able to play some part in that defeat. He is an evil brute that has recklessly destroyed so many lives. Thank You that his doom is sure. And help me to live in such a way that he has absolutely no leverage in my life. So, right now, I am fully submitting to You in this moment. Amen.
Matt’s Musings 