I hate Satan. I realize that probably goes without saying, but I just wanted to get that out in the open so there are no misunderstandings between us.
Satan has been knocking on my door for the past several days. Incessantly. What does he want? He wants to steal and kill and destroy (John 10:10). But today – yes, today – I caught on to his plan while I was reading 1 Samuel 23.
David, who has been anointed as king but has not yet taken his position on the throne, is being pursued relentlessly by King Saul. What does Saul want to do to David? He wants to kill him. He wants to destroy him. He wants to steal his God-given right to reign over Israel.
Based on some poor choices by Saul, God rejects him as king, and seeks out someone who has a heart like His (1 Samuel 13:14). A heart that seeks His will. A shepherd’s heart. A heart like David’s.
I’m sure you know the story: Through a series of events, David and Saul meet and become friends. That is, until Saul realizes David is to be the next king. Then, Saul goes off the deep end. His crown is at stake, and he will do whatever it takes to keep it. He will stop at nothing.
Saul plots. Saul schemes. And David is on the run forced to live in the desert; in caves; in cities; wherever he can find refuge no matter how brief.
Like Saul, Satan is relentlessly trying to keep us from becoming what God intends for us to be. He wants to steal our joy and blessing. He wants to kill our hearts and our hope. He wants to destroy our relationship with The Almighty.
But He can’t.
No matter what Saul did, David always escaped because he was chosen by God. God was on his side, and He had a purpose for David’s life just as He has one for yours.
Satan does not have the power to destroy us. So, let Paul’s words remind you: “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22).
Rest easy, Friend. You are His and His purposes will stand (Isaiah 46:10) you need only to stand firm and see the deliverance of the LORD (2 Chronicles 20:17).
Kathy Gunter
Nikol,
Thanks so much delivering that message. I needed to hear it and I know so many others that need to hear it too. I’ll be relaying that message soon to someone who just tried to take their own life. He felt helpless and hopeless with no reason to say here -no mission to complete. All because he let Satan blind the eyes of his heart for just long enough……but, God did not let him die. He still has work to do here and some heart-healing to experience!
Nikol
Kathy! I’m so sorry to hear about your friend. I pray that God comforts him during this dark time.