It’s There All the Time

As the wintry winds of March fiercely fight to exit our area each Spring, most elderly people, as I, focus more on the often unnoticed occurrences that usher in more favorable seasonal changes. The first returning robins, the earliest spring flower, and the rattling chaos of peepers are often the highlights.  My grandfather would often add that he loved Spring, but it was the Spring weather that often tried his patience. However, he would add that we don’t order our weather, but take what the Good Lord sends us. 

It was on one of these Spring afternoons as I was cleaning debris from the previous gardening season that some friends I had not seen for some time stopped to visit and offer assistance.  In the ensuing conversations, they began sharing some circumstances of recent events that had affected their lives greatly. For over an hour I listened.  Our friendship had endured since early childhood, and I could see how their lives had changed since our last times together. 

As children growing up on farms in West Virginia, we enjoyed similar lifestyles, blessings, and anticipated futures.  We had all enjoyed childhood together and had been converted the same Spring.  When warmer weather permitted church baptisms, we were baptized together at the same time. 

In the years apart we lost track of each other.  Here now, we were remembering and trying to rein in time passed for gains and losses, fulfillment of our plans made years before, and what would we change if we could walk the paths of life over again. I listened for over an hour.  They sadly broke down crying when they spoke of their crowded lives and abandonment of the commitments to the godly values and expectations that we so often shared as teenagers.

Before they left to visit other friends, I mentioned that I had now made some changes in my life for better health and bragged to them about being “a newly master chef”.  Upon saying this, they accepted my invitation for lunch.  As a former pastor, I had some spiritual food as well as physical food planned for lunch.

While preparing the lunch I began sharing something that a good friend had shared with me.  I began sharing the story of Job 1: 6-12.  In this story, there was a day that the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also.  And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou?  Satan answered from to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.  And the Lord said unto Satan, Hath thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth,  a perfect and upright man, one that feareth God and escheweth evil?  Satan fired back that Job “was not what he appeared.”

As the conversation continues, one’s sharp mind concludes that although Satan hates God and will do anything to hinder or harm God’s Christian believers, Satan  can only do what God gives his permission. This is of huge importance and impact.

Since Satan cannot have control over God, he will harass and hinder God’s believers to what degree that he is allowed.  The question is whether we, as believers, have the ability  to thwart Satan’s power over us also. Quote Scripture and Satan will flee. (James 4: 7).

What Scriptures are better utilized than others?  The Lord commanded that his believers put on the Whole Armor of God (Eph. 6: 13).  Memorization of scripture is encouraged.  Scripture is identified as a Sword and to know Scriptures, we empower ourselves with this Sword of the Holy Spirit. All Christian believers should read the Bible as their first obligation to Christ-like service.  By reading and memorizing Scripture, we are always prepared to battle Satan. What if Satan attacks us without us carrying our Bibles?  Carry much of your Bible inside of you.  That way, “It’s There All the Time”.