Ecclesiastes 5:4 “When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it.”
There’s a pithy parable about the devil’s training academy for his demonic minions. On the day of the graduation ceremony, he was mingling with the new graduates and questioning them about what they had learnt. He approached one group of three demons and engaged them in conversation. He asked them: “Now that you’re ready to start your mission of leading as many earthlings away from the path of God and into my clutches, what strategy will you use?” The first demon replied: “Sir, I’ll tell them there’s no God.” “Rubbish! That won’t work. Creation’s so beautiful that it points to the fact that surely there is a Creator. You won’t dupe many with that one.” The second one replied: “Sir, I’ll tell them that there’s no judgment.” “No chance! Come on, we all know that those pathetic earthlings have been endowed with a conscience so that they inherently have a conception of right and wrong. Most know and recognize a coming judgment. That’s not going to work.” Finally, the third demon replied: “I’ll tell them that yes, there is a God, and yes, there is a judgment, but also that there’s still plenty of time.” “Excellent! You’ve studied well. Many will be suckers for that lie. Get to it!”
Satan is described in the Bible as “the father of lies”, who “was a murderer from the beginning”, and when “he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar” (John 8:44). He is a thief who “comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10). He “prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
So in light of the above parable, can you think of anything you’ve been putting off that you need to deal with? Satan hates it when we boldly advance in obedience to Jesus’ commands. Just do it!
Lord I choose to live with a sense of urgency and mission today. Amen!
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