When the Devil Tells the Truth

This was composed some time ago, but I got around to publishing it now. I guess late doesn't need to mean never. 

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It’s been one of those weeks… You know, the sort where you think, Ok, this can be over now. So exhausting. And I come to the end feeling like a bit of a failure myself. All my faults array themselves ugly before my eyes. I need my Jesus like no tomorrow, and I want to escape up the mesa and pray forever. 

I clean the kitchen and think. Pilgrim’s Progress runs through my head, varied voices and all, picking up at the growling words of Apollyon: 

“There is NO prince, who will loose his subjects without a battle!! And I be no exception, Graceless.” 

“My name be Christian!”

“But, Graceless…”

The devil is always like that. Calling us graceless - the recipients of no grace - when our names have actually been changed to Christian. But that’s not what strikes me while my hands are in the dishwater. 

It strikes me with pleasing irony that for once, the devil told the truth. 

There is no prince who will loose his subjects without a battle. 

And actually, that includes the Prince of Peace, the Prince of Heaven. That includes my Prince, who has renamed me Christian instead of Graceless. That means on weeks that feel as if they can just go ahead and be over, when all imperfections array themselves ugly, just then, I can be assured that no Prince will loose His subjects without a battle. 

And last time I checked, Prince Immanuel, the Prince who is God with us, is stronger than the prince of the power of the air (please note the little p on that latter individual). So in a battle between the two, guess who wins? The devil certainly has us bested for strength, but the One who is for us has spoiled all principalities and powers; and further, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them.* And He did it for me. For you. Yes. I choose to be on His side.

I know you didn't mean it quite that way Apollyon, but thank you - the reminder is welcome. My Prince not only accepts me, but will all out battle for me. He fights for His own. Oh glory. 

And thank You Jesus… 



“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” John 28:28, 29. 


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