This past Sunday, we sang the hymn “What a mighty fortress is our God”, written sometime between 1527 and 1529 by Martin Luther. This very old hymn expresses the faith we have in our God. “Our helper He, amid the flood of motal ills prevailing”. This was my dad’s favorite hymn. Dad truly struggled and he understood all too well, Luther’s words, “For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; His craft and pow’r are great, and armed with cruel hate, On earth is not his equal.”

This bring me back to the title of this blog, “Chased by the devil”. I am not talking about some cartoon character with a tail and a pitch fork. I am talking about a powerful spirit being, who’s only goal is to kill and destroy the children of the most high God. Job 1:6, “One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. The Lord said to Satan, ‘Where have you come from?’ Satan answered the Lord, ‘From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it’.” Think about that for just a moment, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it”. Satan is the power that rules this world.  As Luther said, “On earth is not his equal”. So should we be afraid? No! We should not cower in fear, but we must we watchful!

Several times in the last week, I have been lead back to Romans 8:38-39, “I am convinced that neither death or life, neither angels or demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord”. I believe this with all of my being and I hold on to it. Nothing Satan can do can take me away from Christ. When I struggle and when I fail, Satan does not have to power to remove me from God’s hand! My hope is not built on being perfect, being the best person I can be. Although that is a goal to achieve for the glory of his kingdom, my salvation, my hope does not come from my efforts! My hope is build on nothing less, than Jesus and his righteousness!

Whatever your days brings to you, whether it be grief or joyfulness, never forget that God holds you in the palm of his hand. Although the days of fortresses have passed and we can always take refuge in the fortress of our God. He is our helper, our shelter and our redeemer.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+46&version=NIV