He may Roar, but He Ain’t Reigning
Well now, friend, there you are! I was beginning to think you’d done taken the long road past Possum Creek. I’m so glad to see you showin’ up here! So scoot right on up here to this ol’ front porch and set your cup down before that lil’ ol’ woodpecker sittin’ over there on the pine log starts knockin’ like he’s collectin’ rent from all of us so we can be sittin’ out here. If life has felt like a lil’ ol’ chicken hen tryin’ to guard some lil’ baby chicks in a windstorm or like an ol’ rabbit dartin’ through briars with an ol’ hound dog on its trail, then you already know this ol’ world has opposition. The Christian life is real sweet, but it’s sho’-nuff’ not sleepy.
Revelation 12:12 tells us, “But terror will come on the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you in great anger, knowing that he has little time.” That means that the devil is full of fury because he knows his time is short. That’s the key to the whole matter. He’s real dangerous, but he’s sho’-nuff’ doomed. He struts and snarls like a mean ol’ fence row dog that thinks he owns the whole farm, yet the victory was plum settled at the cross and sealed at the empty tomb. Satan is real loud, but he ain’t the Lord.
That truth keeps us real steady. 1 John 4:4 says, “Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” So, yes, the enemy tempts, accuses, distracts, and stirs trouble. He can’t snatch God’s children from the Father’s hand, but he surely tries to rattle the windows, muddy the path, and steal joy from the journey. He wants believers to be real fearful, weary, and tangled up like a lil’ ol’ squirrel hung up in a grapevine.
So don’t mistake opposition for defeat. The devil’s anger is real because his defeat is very real. We’ve gotta be resistin’ him not with panic but with confidence in Christ. We’re sho’-nuff’ guarded by the One that already wrote the final chapter, and it don’t end with darkness winnin’ the war.
Father, thank You that the enemy is not in control and never will be. Help me stand firm, resist temptation, and remember that Christ has already won the victory. Fill me with courage, wisdom, and peace today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Now, by cracky, friend, it’s sho’-nuff’ time for you to be headin’ right back on down the road with your heart tucked close to Jesus and your eyes wide open. Don’t be rattled by every growl in the bushes because an ol’ fox may yap plenty without ever becomin’ king of the pasture. When the enemy kicks up dust, remember his clock is tickin’ and God’s throne ain’t doin’ no tremblin’. So, walk on real steady, sing while you go, and let that ol’ serpent devil know he may be real fierce, but he’s sho’-nuff’ finished and defeated.
With joy,
Gwen
