Topic: The Enemy’s Strategy [DCLM Daily Manna 20 June 2019 Daily Devotional]
Text: Matthew 10:16-33 (KJV)
Key Verse: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).
MESSAGE:
In 2005, a scholarly article outlined five strategies terror groups employ for a successful terror crusade. One and the most common strategy is ‘spreading fear for international effects’. Why do you hear of suicide bombing and other heart-shattering gruesome killings by terrorists? It is to create the waves of fear, to weaken the resolve of civil people and to make the war against terror a hard-to-win affair.
Preparing the mind of His sheep against marauding wolves, the Lord Jesus gave a glimpse of what to expect from persecutors in the last days. Persecutors will stop at nothing to threaten, beat, kill and maim those who believe in Christ for their faith. Some of these persecutions may even be hosted by family members or close kin; just as a surprise attack! But the Lord gave us an idea of what the most potent weapon of the enemy is, that is fear! The very aim of persecutors is to entrench fear into the heart of those suffering persecution and those who likely will.
When Stephen, the first martyr of the early church was stoned to death by the religious Jews in Acts Chapter 7, the news sent ripples of fear to practicing and would-be Christians. The persecutors were invariably sending a deterrent message to those who believed in Jesus and those who would want to. Thank God for the resolute commitment of early believers, who though persecuted for their faith, endured to the end and now serve as encouragement to every Christian in every generation.
The persecution of believers in Christ Jesus is on the increase in many places today. We are to pray for those persecuted and provide needed succor where possible. When persecuted, we are to remember that Christ our Master has both tasted and suffered persecution. Thus, reacting the way He did will help us overcome. There might be need to escape a deadly attack from the enemy in order to preserve the truth. But no believer should ever renounce his faith because of the fear of the enemy.
Thought For The Day: The sting of terror is temporary, but God’s judgment is eternal!
The Bible In One Year: 1 Kings 1–2
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
