The day in which we live finds so many people troubled and depressed. Life is hard and so many of us try to live it all on our own. We have totally forgotten that each of us “can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). We have lost sight of the truth that “God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). And that “greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world” (I John 4:4).
How does this happen? We are too complacent in our every day lives. We do not heed the warning of God that clearly tells us that we are to “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (I Peter 5:8). We are so caught up in our own strength, in doing what we choose to do and living to ourselves that we easily fall prey to the devil. The devil steals our joy. The devil destroys our hopes and fills our life with fear and chaos. “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” (John 10:10). We are living our lives to his agenda and not God’s.
I don’t think any of us set out to follow after the ways of the devil. In fact, I believe most of us just fall into it because we do not purpose in our heart to follow after the ways of Christ. Our nature is to be sinful (Ephesians 4:22). So our default way of living puts us right in the middle of the devil’s agenda. But, today is a new day and praise be to God we can do an about face and start living a life filled with purpose and meaning. We can choose right now to take God at His Word and start living the abundant life! “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). We can start practicing James 4:7 and submit our selves to God and resist the devil. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). It is time that we realize that God’s Word is a light unto our path and a lamp to our feet (Psalms 119:105). We can dispel the darkness in our life by allowing His light in! The psalmist David said, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee” (Psalms 119:11). I Timothy 2:15 says, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” You must put on “the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:13).
So, “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). “Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you” (I Peter 5:7). Jesus said, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (John 15:11).