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Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isa. 41:10)
My son loves the book Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan. He knows the story quite well. Not only has he had us read it to him at least twice, but he has watched the Pilgrim's Progress movie from Keith and Kristyn Getty about three times!
The devil wants us to be overcome with despair.
One of the darker scenes in Bunyan's story is when Christian and Hopeful are trapped in the Dungeon of Doubting Castle. There they are faced daily with the hardships of their present circumstances—their sin in leaving the Way and the daily temptation to forsake of life. They hear voices encouraging them to do away with themselves, that their lives are not worth living.
These are the lies of the evil one, his deception. The spiritual darkness is heavy and bleak. But finally the two pilgrims realize that the Giant Despair cannot kill them, and that they have had the key to their escape all along. The key is hope in the promises of God.
God wants us to be filled with lasting hope.
The Deceiver had Christian and Hopeful looking at their own mistakes and sins, wrapped up in their failings and contemplating the hardships of their present circumstances. With this inward turn of the heart, they were trapped and dragged down nearly to death.
The men had forgotten all the times the King of the Celestial City had protected them, was faithful to them, and guided them. Their eyes had turned from the King to their own miserable circumstances and sin. Let us all be aware and on guard for this particular wile of the devil.
God is always faithful to us, and he always keeps his promises to us.
Our King has been, is, and will always be faithful to us, even when we sin terribly. A way of escape is always there. We are never without hope, for we have the Spirit dwelling inside us and Jesus has promised, "'And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age'" (Matt. 28:20).
Therefore, dear Christian, fight against the devious attempts of Satan to darken your heart and mind to God's goodness. Instead, keep your eyes on your King, recite his mercies daily to yourself, and know that your Shepherd is always with you.
This article is was originally published in the BCL October 2022 newsletter “The Devil’s Schemes.”
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Staying the Course: The Perseverance of God's People in Tumultuous Times
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10 Reasons Christians Can Be Thankful in Trying Circumstances
Recommended:
Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan
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