When the world hit an iceberg, it seems that more came pouring out of the gaping hole in the boat than just the Coronavirus. It is as if Satan has ramped up the havoc he spreads across our world. Almost immediately our circle of family and friends was under attack.
A nine-year-old boy that we know here in Franklin suffered a cardiac arrest just as the lockdowns were beginning. His life was spared by Jesus and the quick work of the first responders, but he faces an uncertain neuro-future. My niece went to a hospital complaining of muscle weakness and flu-like symptoms that would not go away. She was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and had to process all this news without her parents who were excluded from the hospital due to COVID-19 safety procedures.
I could list more psychosis, cancer, illness situations that have sprung forth just in our circle. Add to this the financial setback, especially for those who were already living on the margins. Add the barbaric pictures of policemen in India beating folks with sticks to prevent them from boarding the trains back to their hometowns during the country’s lockdown. Add the tremendously sad cases of COVID-19 patients dying alone. Add, add, add and it can become overwhelming.
My spirit is in turmoil as I process and pray in these times. And as I do, it just seems to me that Satan has gone into some kind of a frenzy. I can’t think of a better way to express it. It is as if Satan is unleashing a new attack of darkness and pain upon our fallen planet. Does Satan have some sense that his time is coming to an end?
I believe there is a glorious light at the end of this dark tunnel. What we do not have any way of knowing is how long the tunnel is. And we cannot be sure exactly what light we will be emerging into.
I can’t help but think that maybe it will be the light of the rapture; a start of the clock to Jesus’ final victory. Or will it be a light of revival as God’s supernatural power literally falls upon the earth and Satan’s influence will suddenly diminish? Will it be the light of a great awakening as our fellow citizens call upon the name of the Lord.
The Bible teaches us that Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (I Jn 3:8). I believe pandemics, grave sickness, a cultural morality that is off the rails, hate, and sin are all works of the devil. Jesus’ victory over these has at least three prongs of attack. First, Jesus defeated Satan and sin at the cross. Sin is no longer our master for those who have placed their faith in Jesus.
Second, once we have been redeemed, we become part of Jesus’ army in this world, taking any path He reveals to us to help defeat these works of Satan. That is why believers are called to confront illness, hate, and immorality with love, prayer, compassion, forgiveness, and truth.
Third, Jesus will ultimately defeat Satan in the finality of Revelation chapter 19 at His second coming. Satan’s influence will be ended permanently.
But back to the current frenzy. If your spirit is in turmoil as mine is, what are we to do? What weapons are at our disposal to walk in God’s peace even as we seek to push this furor back? Along with what we have already considered in this post, God has armed us with at least two specific weapons to fend off the attacks of Satan. We will talk about them next time.
I’m looking forward to your next post.