34. The Devil

The Devil

Fear not the things which thou art about to suffer; behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful until death and I will give thee the crown of life.” Revelation 2.10.

These words contain part of a message which the Lord Jesus sent to the church at Smyrna. The congregation must have been gripped as these words were read to them for the first time. They told them a number of things about their arch enemy, the devil, that are well worth our observation also.

The devil is always on hand. Once when Jehovah asked him where he had been, he said, “From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it” (Job 1.7). “To and fro” is right! He misses no one. For he “as a roaring lion walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1Peter 5.8). Praise God, he can not devour everybody, for our God has made provision for His people. He can, nevertheless, try them severely.

The devil has power. “The devil is about to cast some of you in prison.” His power is surpassed only by that of our God. No human being or group of human beings can withstand him. His power is so great, that all who fight him in their own strength are defeated. Only those who seek their strength in the Lord Jesus can stand. Therefore, “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6.11). We praise God that there is an armor that Satan can not pierce.

The devil is allowed to test God’s people. “That ye may be tried.” All God’s children are tried and tested. In fact, that is the way they grow. Therefore the Lord has told us how to meet these trials. “Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold temptations, knowing. that the proving of your faith worketh patience. And let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing” (James 1. 3-4). Of course, the devil does not expect God’s children to accept trials and temptations with joy. He aims rather to make them discouraged and cause them to grumble. Then He has succeeded in accomplishing His end. On the other hand, God has made it possible to defeat Satan with rejoicing, for “the joy of Jehovah is your strength” (Nehemiah 8. 10).

The devil’s time is limited. “Ye shall have tribulation ten days.” When a person is in the midst of a severe trial, it seems that there is no end to it. However, that is only the way we feel. Ten days can seem like eternity when Satan is after us. But then how good to know, “I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4. 13). Temptation and trials, even though they seem long, have an end. Therefore we are told, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4. 7). It is good to remember at a time of testing that Satan can be withstood. “Whom withstand stedfast in your faith, knowing that the same sufferings are accomplished in your brethren who are in the world” (1 Peter 5. 9).

The devil can be withstood even until death. “Be thou faithful until death.” How we should praise God for this provision! Not even death can separate a child of God from his Saviour. “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Romans 8. 37).

Those who withstand Satan until the end shall receive a crown. “I will give thee the crown of life.” No wonder Satan is after a child of God. He would rob him of his crown. The way to the crown is through the valley of trials and testings. When you are tried and tested severely, take courage, you are on the right road. Remember, you are dealing with a defeated foe. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Only a few more steps, and you will be safely home. The Father’s house with its many mansions stands open to you. Our text started with the words, “Fear not.’ With these words we end our meditation: “Fear not. little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12.32).