JUDE 1:8-11

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31, 2007

A SATAN ESCAPE PLAN

8 Likewise also these dreamers defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries. 9 Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" 10 But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves. 11 Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. Jude 1:8-11 (NKJV)

This is the third of a series of Devotions on the Book of Jude.  You can go here to review the earlier devotion in this series.

These words from Jude provide a simple and short thought for our meditation today.

The action of Michael the archangel in this situation is the focus of our thoughts.

How many times have we been angry and lashed out at someone? Possibly more than you would like to admit. Unfortunately in our society to lash back is acceptable and even cheered on. The most blatant use of lashing back is found in athletics from Little League on up to the Pros. In fact, the Pros set such a horrible and visible example that the youth think, "If my role model can do this, then it must be okay for me to do it also."

This is not the stance that is taken in Jude. We read, "Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!"

By ourselves we do not have the power to win the battle over sin and evil. Like Michael, we can only say to Satan, "The Lord rebuke you." Leave it in the Hands of God and move on to those who need and would welcome your love and forgiveness.

WE PRAY: LORD, help me to know that I do not need to stand in fear when Satan confronts me. Give me the wisdom to turn these confrontations over to you as You are already victorious over him. Then Lord, don’t let me relax just because you rescued me again. Give me the shove, the boost to move on to the next opportunity you have for me to face. Thank you, Lord, for winning the Victory over Satan. AMEN

A SUGGESTION FOR LIVING THE DEVOTION

Most people have an escape plan for fire or tornados, but what about a plan to escape from Satan?

Devise a list of passages that help us to know that God is our Satan Storm Shelter. You might start with the 23rd Psalm Write them out, one to a 3x5 card

If you can find seven, read one each day with your daily devotion. If you can find 30, then read one each day for a month. Let the Biblical Guidance become your Satan ESCAPE PLAN. REVIEW IT AND KNOW IT AS WELL AS YOU KNOW YOUR FIRE ESCAPE PLAN.