Reflection on
Deuteronomy 1:1–2:23
It
has been said that those who do not remember history are doomed to repeat it.
In this “second law” or “repetition of the law”—the literal meaning of the word
Deuteronomy—Moses reviewed the history of the wanderings of Israel for a new
generation poised to enter the promised land from the plains of Moab. Moses
reminded the people that their parents rebelled against the Lord, thereby
missing out on the promises of God and condemning themselves to die in the
wilderness. God’s punishment can be avoided, not just for the Israelites who
were about to enter the promised land, but for all who heed God’s message.
SATAN'S SHOW OF POWER
For God has not given
us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline
Once
I counseled a former high priest of Satanism who desperately wanted to be free
of the demonic powers who had ruled his life. But Satan was not about to let go
of him without a fight. As I tried to talk to him, Harry ranted and raved and
rolled around the office like a crazy man. The demons who controlled Harry were
using his mind, his will, his muscles, and his emotions in a noisy display of
resistance.
But
I just sat still. I learned a long time ago that Satan's show of power is just
another facet of his deception designed to provoke fear. He knows that if he
can deceive us into being afraid of him, fear will control our lives instead of
faith. Satan "prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to
devour" (1 Peter 5:8). Why does a lion roar? To paralyze its prey with
fear. Once its victim is immobilized by fear, the lion can easily subdue it and
kill it.
But
because of our position, authority, and protection in Christ, Satan can't touch
us. If you cower in fear at Satan's show of power, then he has you on the
defensive. But Peter instructed, "Resist him, firm in your faith" (1Peter 5:9). Satan is defeated; believe it and stand up to him. When you do, he
has no choice but to eventually back down.
As
the devil roared at me through Harry, I began to read Scripture aloud and pray
in a normal, controlled voice that the enemy would be bound in silence. After I
had spent several minutes taking authority in Christ through prayer and reading
Scripture, Harry fell flat on his stomach in front of me. "Lord Jesus, I
need You!" he cried out. I led him in a prayer of commitment to Christ.
And when Harry finally stood up, he was free. He embraced me with a childlike
joy he had never experienced before.
The
devil's bark is much bigger than his bite. Stand firm in the faith and resist
him, and he will flee.
Prayer: Lord, help me
be bold and not fearful in the face of Satan's attacks. I want to walk in
freedom and help others find freedom as well.
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