Thanksgiving and Thanks Living, part 4
One of the best ways to resist the devil is to thank God...
What tips Satan off that we might be at a point of vulnerability, that our suffering has weakened us? When he hears our praise turn sour and our thanksgiving disappear. Peter warns us to be careful, to be on our guard, to watch out for Satan’s attempts to devour us. Resist Satan by standing firm in the faith.
There is no better way to do this than to thank God, even when it looks like there’s nothing left to thank Him for. When Satan sees our thanksgiving disappear during times of suffering, I believe he turns up the heat even more. Like a lion listening for the sound of a wounded animal, Satan listens for us to gripe and complain. He listens for the sounds of us accusing God of being unfair or unfaithful because of our circumstances. When we allow our circumstances and situations to overcome us, our thanksgiving is often overcome also and this opens up the opportunity for Satan to step in and fuel the fire.
We need to learn to continually offer thanks to God regardless of our current situation not only because the world is listening and our witness depends on it, but also because Satan is listening and our Christian walk depends on it. We must offer continual thanks…
BECAUSE GOD IS WATCHING AND LISTENING
Asa, King of Judah, had been confronted by a mighty army. Rather than rely on God, he made an alliance with the King of Aram. God said to him, in
2 Chronicles 16:9, “For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose whose hearts are fully committed to Him, is perfected to Him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.”
What God was saying is – I’m looking for people that I can demonstrate my power and strength through. I’m looking for people whose hearts are fully committed to me and trust me through the good, the bad and the ugly.
A few chapters later, King Jehoshaphat came along, and he did just that. When God saw the commitment of his heart, He released His mighty power to deliver Jehoshaphat from his impossible circumstances.
Continued tomorrow
