Difficult Days

I must begin by saying that this devotional is written to myself as much or more than it is to those who may hear it. I have always thought that if I have a question, a quandary, an uncertainty, or a difficult dilemma that I am struggling with, I bet someone else is facing a similar problem. Here is my hearts cry, my difficult question, does the devil focus his attention more on me when I am being faithful, than he does when I am not? Over the last 5 to 6 years I have grown considerably in my walk with Christ. Don't get me wrong, I still have a lot of growth to do and I am far from a saint, but I am a much more devoted and faithful person now than I was say 10 or even 20 years ago. Yet life just doesn't seem to be getting any easier. As I look back on those days when I wasn't following God's will for my life at times it seems like I had less difficulties and trials. It is my belief that when you step boldly into your God-given purpose, the enemy takes notice. Satan hates nothing more than when you stand with Jesus waging spiritual warfare against the darkness of this world. In Revelations the bible says that Satan brings charges against God's people both night and day.

Revelation 12:10 ESV And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. 

When you step boldly into your God-given purpose, the enemy takes notice. Satan hates nothing more than those who stand with Jesus waging spiritual warfare. On the other hand if you don't focus your attentions and passions on growing spiritually you pose little or no threat to Satan. He is God's enemy and therefore the enemy of Christians as well. When you focus your life on Jesus Christ you draw the attention of the enemy. Satan will target your relationships, your faith, your finances, even your sense of self-worth. If you ignore your weaknesses or refuse to examine your heart, you give him a foothold.

Ephesians 4:27 ESV And give no opportunity to the devil. 

The Bible calls us to examine ourselves, to test our faith, and to make our calling and election sure. In 2nd Corinthians 13:5 scripture tells us to examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. So let's take a look at ourselves! Many times we wake up and the first thing we do is what? Check our phones! Our first thoughts are not with God, it’s with the world. Do you think it’s any wonder that many believers are then overwhelmed by the chaos of the world? When was the last time that the first thing you did after you got up was to get on your knees in prayer and have a few moments of silence, focusing your thoughts your heavenly Father. We need to do this so that we are putting on the full armor of God, but instead we pick up our electronic devices and check social media or we turn on the TV to see what the news media is sensationalizing. To answer my own question from earlier, Does the devil pay more attention to me when I am being faithful, well the answer is yes!

1 Peter 1: 6-7 ESV In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith - more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire - may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

So if you find yourself in a battle that seems unwinnable or insurmountable, or it just feels like your gonna loose this one, just remember this. Place your faith in God and he will fight your battles for you and one day every knee will bow