Our grandson loves to play hide and seek. He especially likes it when his father jumps out of his hiding place and surprises him. Our grandson squeals with glee.
He loves the excitement of the chase and the thrill of the surprise. But as we get older we learn that not all surprises are so benign. There are forces at work in the world that have nothing but an evil intent.
Growing up in this sin filled world, we soon learn the wisdom of avoiding dark alleys. Criminals and evil of every kind seek to do us harm.
The worst adversary is the devil. All of his work is contrary to the will of God. While God’s ultimate will for you is to be saved eternally, Satan’s ultimate will for you is to die eternally in hell.
Since we live in such dangerous times, St. Peter directs us to be sober-minded and watchful. God gives us His word as a guide and guard for our lives. He knows that as soon as we stray from the path laid out for us by His holy law, we will fall pray to the fangs of the roaring lion who seeks to devour us.
But have no fear:
Though devils all the world should fill,
All eager to devour us.
We tremble not, we fear no ill,
They shall not overpower us.
This world's prince may still
Scowl fierce as he will,
He can harm us none,
He's judged; the deed is done;
One little word can fell him.
A Mighty Fortress is Our God, stanza 3
When Christ uttered the word from the cross, “It is finished,” He declared Satan defeated for all time. Rest secure in the loving arms of your Savior, Jesus.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, your will was that Jesus would defeat the devil for us on the cross. Keep us in the true faith that through His life, death and resurrection, we will join you forever in the life of the world to come. Amen.
God’s richest blessings in Christ,
Pastor Philip Quardokus
Download a pdf of all the Lenten devotions here.
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