The Betrayal that Backfired
Well, don’t that beat all, the Lord done handed you another beautiful day like a real clean feed bucket, and He is invitin’ you to take a good long look at what He is ‘a-teachin’ you. Luke 22:53 reminds us darkness once strutted around like it owned the place. And right in the middle came Judas ‘a-leadin’ the mob with a kiss slicker than a fox ‘a-pretendin’ to be a house pet.
‘A-fore we go to divin’ into Judas, let me lay down Romans 8:28 like a foundation stone. God works all things together for good. Even the ones scarier than a possum ‘a-grinnin’ at you from the pantry shelf. And that there truth is the same one Job done held on to when everything in his life done fell apart. Job 1:7 shows Satan ‘a-patrollin’ the earth ‘a-lookin’ for trouble, and Job sure got hit hard. But Job 42:10 says the Lord done restored him and blessed him ten times as much as before.
So, when Judas marched himself into Gethsemane with that sneaky betrayal kiss, it was ‘a-lookin’ like the worst moment in history. But Romans 8:28 was already ‘a-workin’. Ol’ Satan shore-‘nuff thought he was ‘a-runnin’ the show. He thought he done had Jesus cornered like a raccoon stuck in a chicken coop.
But God was already ‘a-workin’ behind the scenes, just like He done did for Job when everything fell apart, and Satan thought he had ol’ Job whipped. But, in the end, Job 42:10 says, “The Lord done restored him ten times over,” and that there same “But God” power was ‘a-movin’ in Gethsemane, too. That ol’ devil was really ‘a-helpin’ God to be ‘a-finishin’ the greatest rescue plan ever written.
Ol’ Judas had been ‘a-walkin’ with Jesus for three whole years. He done saw miracles that would be ‘a-makin’ a raccoon stop ‘a-rummagin’. He done heard sermons that could be ‘a-straightenin’ a crooked fence post. Yet he still betrayed Jesus. Scripture says ol’ Satan done entered Judas, which explains a whole lot, but it still makes you be ‘a-scratchin’ your head like a confused possum ‘a-wonderin’ why it climbed into a trap.
Romans 8:28 was still ‘a-workin’ behind the scenes, same as it was for Job. Ol’ Satan was actually fulfillin’ God’s plan from Isaiah 53, where it says “It was the Lord’s will that the Messiah would have to suffer for us.”
Satan’s biggest shot at doom was the crucifixion. And in that very act, he done sealed up his own doom and opened the door for salvation to the whole wide world. That there is like a wolf ‘a-thinkin’ he is ‘a-winnin’ while he is actually ‘a-lockin’ his own self up inside the chicken coop.
So, remember, if’n you hold on to God like Job done did, when darkness tries to be ‘a-takin’ charge, Satan’s best shots will end up ‘a-workin’ for your good and God’s glory. The Lord, in one of those real powerful “But God” moments, can turn any attack into somethin’ that will be ‘a-growin’ you stronger than an iron fence post sunk down deep in concrete.
Father, thank You for ‘a-turnin’ what the enemy means for harm into somethin’ that shapes me, strengthens me, and brings You glory. Help me trust You when I can’t be ‘a-seein’ the whole big picture. Keep me steady, faithful, and full of hope. In Jesus holy name I pray. Amen.
Well, I reckon we’ve done unpacked enough of them there real tasty, spiritual groceries for one day. Now you go on out there and remember, if God can be ‘a-turnin’ Satan’s worst plans into the world’s greatest victory, and if He can restore Job ten times over, He can shore-‘nuff be ‘a-handlin’ whatever is ‘a-nippin’ at your heels today.
With joy,
Gwen
