Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:7-8)
Because God has finished everything through Christ, make every effort not to fall into unbelief. Satan knows our nature of unbelief very well. We used to live in his kingdom of unbelief, obeying his commands and following his thoughts and ways.
Even after we have been set free from Satan’s kingdom of darkness by the power of the blood of Christ, the devil has been pursuing us like a roaring lion. He does not want us to know that God cares for us.
The devil wants us to doubt God’s unconditional, infinite, irresistible love for us and thus worry about our lives. The devil is patiently waiting for a moment to devour us. This is why you should remember that life’s worries always lead to problems, conflicts, and crises.
Today’s Word commands you not to worry but to cast all your anxiety on God. Why? Your life’s problems are not yours any longer. They belong to God. He wants you to rest in Him.
Your Father doesn’t want you to carry the heavy burden you have been forced to carry. He wants to give you the load that is easy and light, the gospel that came to you through Jesus (Mt 11:28-30). Believe that Jesus’ cross has ended everything. So give all your worries to God and wait, and He will take care of them.
Selfish motives always lead to greed, jealousy, and frustration. Our only motive in life should be Christ and His kingdom. Our only way to live is by faith in Him, who loved us and died for us (Gal 2:20).
Christ should sit on the throne of our lives, not us. Apart from Him, we can do nothing (Jn 15:5). No matter how fragile and worthless we may think we are, like a jar of clay, when we hold this treasure, Jesus Christ, our Lord, deep in us, we will experience the incredible power that is from God, not from us (2 Cor 4:7). So enthrone Him at every moment of your life.
And yet, we often find ourselves with problems that do not go away. These are the spiritual problems brought by our enemy, the devil. Today’s Word tells us that he goes around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour, especially those believers who fall into unbelief and thus continue to worry.
Who is this enemy, the devil? He is the fallen angel (Eze 18:14-29, Isa 14:12-15) who lost the war against Michael and his angels. He is the dragon who lost its place in heaven and its angels. He was thrown out of heaven. This giant dragon is that old snake (Gen 3:1), called the devil or Satan, who leads the whole world in the wrong way. The dragon and its angels were thrown to the earth (Rev 12:7).
The devil, filled with anger, tries to create as much terror and destruction as possible because he knows he doesn’t have much time (Rev 12:12). Eventually, he will be thrown into the fire prepared for him and his angels (Mt 25:41).
Using that old snake, the devil tempted Adam and Eve by lying to them (Gen 3:1-6). Since then, he has been ruling the entire human race by enticing them into the ways of the world (Eph 2:2-3).
He carries out evil schemes against us (Eph 6:11). He uses the rulers and authorities, the powers of this world’s darkness, and the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly places (Eph 6:12).
The devil does not want us to be still standing when we have done everything (Eph 6:13). To that end, he continues to shoot flaming arrows at us (Eph 6:16). He also changes himself to look like an angel of light, offering good things in life and something irresistible (2 Cor 11:14).
Using politics, culture, and economy, he is blinding the people’s minds so they may not see the light of the gospel (2 Cor 4:4-5). He mobilizes evil spirits to take over the people’s spirit, soul, mind, and body (Mk 5:3-15; Mk 9:17-18; Lk 13:16). He is highly organized with specific goals and plans (Rev 2:9).
To win against the devil, we must, therefore, put on the full armor of God: truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Word (Eph 6:11-17). This armor is not something we can manufacture; it is given by God. We just need to receive it by faith.
When it comes to a spiritual battle, always be on the offensive! Do not let your guard down. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (Jas 4:7).
Do not give up or do not lose your heart and grow weary as your God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet (Rom 16:20). Most of all, pray in the Spirit at all times (Eph 6:18).
Remember, God has given you what it takes to overcome the world and defeat the power of the devil (Mt 16:18). Evangelism is a confrontation against the enemy that is most destructive to his kingdom of darkness.
That is why God has given the blessing of proclaiming the gospel to those who believe that Jesus is Christ. God has also given you the most incredible privilege of all—prayer (Mt 16:19). You can move the things in heaven and on earth by prayer! The victory is guaranteed. So go fight against the enemy!
Prayer. Father, open my eyes so that I may see spiritual problems. Fill me with Your Spirit so that I may stand firm against the evil schemes of the devil. As my True King Jesus lives in me, I declare victory over the enemy even before engaging in my spiritual battle. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.