I remember watching a “National Geographical” special called “Relentless Enemies”. It’s a story that comes from the Duba Plains (Botswana.) This relatively small island in the Okavango has the most extraordinary set of conditions where the buffalo herd of over 1,200 are confined by the floodwaters and rivers. This forces them to move around and through 3 lion territories. The film shows the buffalos’ strategies as they develop and how the lions adapt to each scenario. You can catch it on YouTube. When I watched it the first time, it immediately brought 1 Peter 5:8 to mind.
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
I feel Satan’s relentless pursuit daily. His desire according to Daniel 7:25a (ESV) is to wear out the “saints” in these last days.
He shall speak words against the “Most High”, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High”
How do we stay encouraged in these days? Peter says this in 1 Peter 5:8.
“Be sober-minded; be watchful.”
Then encourage yourself in the “Word”. Psalms 120 -134 are known as the “Psalms of Ascent”. They were said to have been recited and sung by Jewish pilgrims as they made the way towards Jerusalem to worship at the Temple. Psalm 121 was called the “soldiers Psalm” because it was recited by soldiers as they prepared to go into Battle, Psalm 121 (ESV)
‘I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.3 He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.5 The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.7 The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
8 The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore.”
Indeed, our helps comes from the Lord “who made heaven and earth”. Even in our deepest times of despair, He will rescue us from it all. Our Lord is the only one with the power and authority to do so. Read the Word back to the enemy when he presses the attack. That’s following the example of our Master.
The second way to defeat his relentless pursuit is to surround yourself with healthy, supporting “life-giving” relationships. The author of Hebrews encourages us to do so, Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV).
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
I am loving our gatherings on Friday nights. It is not a service as much as it is a worship gathering just to be in the presence of the Lord. Last week, Holy Spirit was so strong, we could barely move. Being around people with the same passion for His presence is incredibly important especially as we move through this transition from one age to the other. So, don’t neglect it no matter how inconvenient it may be. It’s vital for our survival.
Don’t weary of the pursuit. God is using all these things to teach us how to be an overcomer. Romans 8:37 (ESV)
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
Trust and rest in His purposes. Jesus will deliver us, help is indeed on the way, John 16:33 (ESV)
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
The other morning, I was having some quiet time with the Lord and I felt He said to me, “ I have called you to minister to the remnant of the remnant”. It is the season of the 10 virgins with the oil lamps. Don’t allow Satan’s pursuit to distract you from keeping your lamp full of oil. You only keep it filled by abiding in His presence both individually and corporately. It is the pressure of this present age which is determining peoples’ positions in these last days. Keep yourself full of His oil. (Holy Spirit)
Even has Satan relentlessly pursues to devour us, the Lord pursues us even more to catch us up into His presence and from the enemies’ pursuit.
Jesus used the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin (Luke 15) to teach that God pursues us. Jesus wanted us to understand the heart of God and that He knows each person intimately ( Matt 10:29; Psalm 139:13) Jesus’ mission on earth was to “seek and to save that which is lost” (Luke 19:10). So yes, even in these days of upheaval and turmoil, help is on the way. I end with Psalm 21:7-8 (ESV)
‘The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.8 The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.”
Meditate on these Psalms and encourage one another finally, follow Peter’s instruction to all the saints in Asia who were also being relentlessly pursued, 1 Peter 5:6-8; 9-11 (ESV).
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful.”
“9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”