When the Devil Done Thinks He’s A-Winnin’
Well, Buttercup, it’s ‘bout time to pull up a chair and be ‘a-dustin; off that there porch cushion ‘cause we are ‘bout to go ‘a-strollin’ through one of the wildest plot twists in Scripture. I mean it’s the kind of twist that would make a lil’ ol’ possum fall right out of a tree from plain ol’ surprise.
Picture it. Satan done thought he was a‑winnin’. He strutted around like a pompous rooster who done finally figured out how to open the feed bin. He done nudged Judas, whispered in his ear, and convinced him to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. Jus’ thirty. That there is barely enough to buy a real decent goat, much less be ‘a-sellin’ out the Savior of the world.
But this here is the part that really makes me want to be ‘a-laughin and ‘a-cryin’ and ‘a-stompin’ my foot like an ol’ mule all at the same time. Satan, in all his schemin’, was actually ‘a‑playin’ right into God’s plan. He done thought that the crucifixion was his great big victory lap. He done thought darkness was ‘a- rulin’ an’ a‑reignin’. He done thought he had finally pulled off the biggest gotcha moment in history.
Well, that ol’ devil done thought he was ‘a-bein’ real impressive, sho’-nuff’, but there was a real twist ‘a-comin’ to his confused‑mind ‘cause while ol’ Satan was a‑celebratin’, God was a‑workin’. The cross was not Satan’s triumph, no sir. It was his undoin’.
Jesus’ death opened the door up real wide for redemption, salvation, forgiveness, and hope for the whole world. Satan done fired his very best shot, and God done turned it into the very thing that done saved us.
And that right there, Butterbean, is why Romans 8:28 still makes me want to shout, “Well glory be, somebody hold my sweet tea an’ be ‘a-passin’ them there hot, buttered biscuits.” It says, “In all things, God works for the good of those who love Him.” All things. Not just the pretty things. Not just the Sunday morning things. Even the dark, muddy, back‑alley messes that Satan done tries to be ‘a-slingin’ at us like a cranky lil’ ol’ llama with an attitude problem.
And here is where it gets really real for you and me, Buttercup. If you be ‘a-holdin’ on to God through your dark moments, if you keep a‑trustin’ when life gits to feelin’ like a stampede of panicked cows, then Satan’s best shots against you will end up ‘a-workin’ for your good and God’s Own glory. Ol’ Satan jus’ can’t help himself ‘cause very time he tries to ruin you, God done rewrites the ending.
You jus’ gotta be ‘a-rememberin’, friend, jus’ like Jeremiah 29:31 says, “Our God is ‘a-wantin’ to be ‘a-givin’ you hope and a future ‘cause He’s ‘a-wantin’ good for you.” He can change whatever the ol’ devil is ‘a-wantin’ to be ‘a-hurtin’ you with into somethin’ real beautiful that’ll be ‘a-bringin’ good to you and glory to Him.
Father, thank You for turnin’ every attack, every heartbreak, and every scheme of the enemy into somethin’ You can be ‘a-usin’ for our good. Be ‘a-givin’ us courage to trust You when life gits to feelin’ a mite too heavy and hope to be ‘a-rememberin’ that darkness ain’t never gonna be ‘a-gittin the last word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Now go on out there, Junebug, and git to facin’ your day ‘a‑knowin’ that if’n God can turn ol’ Satan’s biggest victory into his greatest defeat, He can surely be ‘a‑handlin’ whatever doggone mess is ‘a‑tryin’ to be ‘a‑nippin’ at your heels today, whether it is a worry that comes ‘a-bitin’ at you like a cranky lil’ ol’ chihuahua or a problem that tries to be ‘a-snapin’ at you like a hungry lil’ ol’ raccoon that done missed his breakfast.
With joy,
Gwen
