Devotional #10     

Building and Destruction May Both Occur Slowly  

(Godly progress and Satan’s sneak attacks)

Perhaps you remember the story of the Tortoise and the Hare from your childhood. The slow and steady pace of the tortoise beat the overly confident hare in the race.Why?... because the hare napped a little longer than he had planned. It amazes me how small changes over time seem to bring about radical change which catches us by surprise. If we carefully watched for such change, it would appear that very little change was taking place. Like the old saying, “a watched pot never boils!”

These type of changes can be positive or negative in nature. They can indicate building up or destroying over time. “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler, Provides her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest. How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep— So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man.” Herein, Proverbs 6:6-11 has compared an ant with a sluggard to show that the ant’s hard labors over time has built up its community, whereas the sluggard’s laziness brings about its destruction as the days escape him.

The Lord reveals how He brings His Word to a rebellious people in Isaiah 28:10 “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept, Line upon line, line upon line, Here a little, there a little.”

An elderly English couple, the Lloyds, visited my church several times. Pastor and Mrs. Lloyd ministered in many of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I remember one evening, Mrs. Lloyd quoted this verse from Song of Solomon to me, “Catch us the foxes, The little foxes that spoil the vines, For our vines have tender grapes (2:15).” She went on to say that I was in fact fruitful in my Christian walk, but it seemed to me as though my fruit did not remain. I had indeed felt that way, and it frustrated me for some time. Mrs. Lloyd went on to explain that I needed to lift my efforts up to God in prayer, so Satan would not be able to bring destruction slowly in time, like those little foxes!

            Whether your enemy comes slowly and sneakily or blatantly pounces upon you, 1 Peter 5:8-9 tells you to…“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” One step toward God is also one step away from your enemy. Are you ready to take that step?

See It for Yourself: Proverbs 6:6-11, Isaiah 28:10, Song of Solomon 2:15, 1 Peter 5:8-9, Psalm 127:1, Jude 20, 21, John 15:16

Prayer Focus:

Dear Lord,

   You said that “Unless (You) build the house, they labor in vain who build it…” Be the builder of my life. Give me the wisdom of the ant, who gathers food in harvest so that it knows no lack in harsh winter. Help me to overcome the enemy’s sneak attacks. Foil the plans of the little foxes who seek to plunder my fruit. For you said, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain…” I entrust my life to You, Lord!

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Working It Out:                 

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” Jude 20, 21