The devil has a plan for our lives, it can be expressed pretty fully with five words: DOUBT, DISCOURAGEMENT, DIVERSION, DEFEAT, DELAY. We must understand what Jesus taught us about Satan, “The thief comes only to STEAL and KILL and DESTROY…” (John 10:10) He lies to us so he can STEAL our faith by causing us to doubt, become discouraged and distracted. Then he KILLS or defeats our relationship with God so we will delay serving Him which will DESTROY our hope in the Lord.
The key to our victory is to recognize what the thief (Satan) is attempting to do and “Submit (hupotassō: put under) yourselves, then, TO GOD. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. DRAW NEAR (engizō: to join together) TO GOD and He will draw near to you…” (Jam. 4:7-8) We are told to join together with God and put ourselves COMPLETELY UNDER HIS CARE. Why must we do this? “Know that the LORD, HE IS GOD; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and THE SHEEP of His pasture.” (Psa. 100:3)
The Lord tells us that we are sheep, so, WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF SHEEP?
- SHEEP HAVE NO SENSE OF DIRECTION…
- SHEEP ARE DEFENSELESS…
- SHEEP CAN’T GET UP WITHOUT HELP…
- SHEEP ARE EMOTIONAL AND RECOGNIZE THE SHEPHERD’S VOICE…
- SHEEP ARE NOT MEANT TO CARRY BURDENS…
- SHEEP WILL SETTLE FOR LESS…
- SHEEP CAN NOT CARE FOR THEMSELVES WHEN WOUNDED…
This shows us that WE DESPERATELY NEED A SHEPHERD! David said, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk THROUGH the valley of the shadow of death, I will FEAR NO EVIL; For You are WITH ME; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD FOREVER.” (Psa. 23:1-6)
-Bill Stockham