Things can happen that might tempt us mistrust God’s mercy and grace. We see and hear and do things and want to run away. But we forget God never leaves our side.
A man and his son were camping in the Bitterroot Mountains of Idaho where there were bears. Late one night, his son yelled and leaped out of his sleeping bag. The father grabbed his flashlight and turned it toward his son, expecting the worst. There, sitting in the corner of the tent was a small field mouse, maybe 4 inches long, trying to drag away the boy’s cap. It looked so ridiculous, they both started laughing and the little mouse scampered out a hole in the tent.
Satan is like that rodent. Every day he scares us, grabs at us and tries to frighten us, but against God’s people he is no danger at all. As Apostle John wrote, “The One who is with us is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)
God gives us us hope for living through His Son Jesus. He never sinned, but did what was needed to forgive us. He gave his life on Calvary to pay for what we have done wrong. He heard the Good Friday people cry, “Guilty!” for the things they themselves had done. He died to set us free, and He rose again to bring us to Himself in eternity. He showed His power over temptation in saying “No” to the Tempter and “Yes” to God.
When we’re tempted, let’s not forget that Satan has been defeated. Jesus beat him with the Truth of God’s Word, and Satan doesn’t have the power he tries to convince us he has. He just makes a lot of noise. Satan is a rattlesnake with his head cut off, jaws snapping, tail rattling and scaring people, yet being no danger to anyone. Jesus overcome the Tempter, and so can we - with God’s Word and faith in His presence with us in life.
Eeek! A mouse!!
Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com
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