Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

August 7– Evening

by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff

“Satan hindered us.'”

—1 Thessalonians 2:18

Since the first hour in which goodness came into conflict with evil, it has never ceased to be true in spiritual experience that Satan hinders us. From all points of the compass, all along the line of battle, in the forefront and in the rear, at the dawn of day and in the midnight hour, Satan hinders us. If we toil in the field, he seeks to break our plow. If we build the wall, he tries to topple the stones. No matter what we do, Satan hinders us.

We had fierce conflicts with Satan when we first looked to the cross and lived. Now that we are saved, he works to hinder the completeness of our personal character. You may be congratulating yourself, saying, “I have to this point lived consistently; no one can challenge my integrity.” But beware of boasting, for your virtue will yet be tried; Satan will direct his engines against that very virtue for which you are the most famous. Before long your faith will be attacked. Even if you have been as meek as Moses, you will be tempted to speak in anger. The birds will peck at your ripest fruit, and the wild boar will thrust his tusks at your choicest vines.

Satan is sure to hinder us when we are earnest in prayer. He checks our persistence and weakens our faith so that, if possible, we may miss the blessing. Nor is Satan less vigilant when Christians are making advances in faith. There was never a revival of true religion without a revival of his opposition to it. As soon as Ezra and Nehemiah begin to labor, Sanballat and Tobiah are stirred up to hinder them.

What then? Should we be alarmed that Satan hinders us? No, indeed! It can be proof that we are on the Lord’s side and are doing the Lord’s work. It reminds us that in God’s strength alone we will win the victory and triumph over our Adversary. [M&E]