When Satan Twists Suffering | Resources
Devotional:
My 4-year-old daughter will sometimes walk around the house singing, and one song that comes up from time to time is called Don’t Monkey Around With The Devil. It is a catchy song that starts to teach young kids about the danger of Satan’s schemes. 1 Peter 5:8 provides perhaps one of the best descriptions of Satan’s character in Scripture and paints an even darker picture than the song – Satan will come after us whether or not we choose to engage with him or even realize that he is there.
The statement “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” makes me think of a 1996 movie even more than a children’s song. The Ghost And The Darkness is based on a true story of lions who preyed on workers building the East Africa Railroad in the late 19th century. The movie depicts two lions lying in wait nightly for workers who step outside.
“The darkness” is an apt depiction of when Satan likes to attack us also – when we are most vulnerable. These verses specifically address Satan trying to attack in times of suffering. It is when we are distracted, when we are hurt, when we are angry, when we are not, as verse 8 says, “sober-minded” and “watchful” that Satan sees an opening and tries to exploit it. It is a terrifying thought – Satan does not just want to cause us harm, he wants to devour us and cause our spiritual death.
While the East Africa railroad workers brought in hired guns to deal with the lions, our battle plan in verse 9 is straightforward yet still profound – stay firm in our faith and identify with the suffering of our Christian brothers and sisters. In other words, embrace Christ and embrace His church. When Satan most wants us to question God’s Word, Christ’s sacrifice, and our church’s love is when we most need to lean into those things. It is the only defense strong enough to thwart the fiercest of predators.
by Ryan Willhite
Scripture Reading:
Sunday: 2 Kings 19; Heb. 1; Hos. 12; Ps. 135-136
Monday: 2 Kings 20; Heb. 2; Hos. 13; Ps. 137-138
Tuesday: 2 Kings 21; Heb. 3; Hos. 14; Ps. 139
Wednesday: 2 Kings 22; Heb. 4; Joel 1; Ps. 140-141
Thursday: 2 Kings 23; Heb. 5; Joel 2; Ps. 142
Friday: 2 Kings 24; Heb. 6; Joel 3; Ps. 143
Saturday: 2 Kings 25; Heb. 7; Amos 1; Ps. 144
Memory Verse:
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8
Discussion Questions:
What in our text this week stands out as interesting, confusing, or challenging?
What are some practical ways we can be sober-minded/watchful?
What is Satan up to today? How have you seen him do this?
What does it look like to resist Satan? How are you doing resisting today?
The descriptive words in verse 10 are so wonderful. Why is each word given such good news? In what ways do you need to be restored, confirmed, strengthened and established?
In light of what we have studied this week, how should you respond in obedience?