PROTECTION – PART 2

THINGS THAT CAN OPEN A WAY FOR SATAN.
(06-03-2005, 01-08-2010)

Job 1:10 Even Satan our adversary knows that the Lord has made a hedge around us, around our houses and around all that is ours on every side. So why does it sometimes happen that you find that that Satan has succeeded in hurting you?

1. Sin

Job 1:5 Job thought that if his children have sinned, calamity may befall them. Isaiah 59:1-2 It is not that the Lord cannot save, but the iniquities of people separate them from the Lord such that He will not hear.

2. Fear

Job 3:25-26 Job feared and what he feared befallen him. 2Timothy 1:7 God has not given us the spirit of fear.

3. Lack of knowledge

Hosea 4:6 God's people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Job 1:9-22 Job 2:4-10 Job thought that all his calamities were coming from God. He did not know that his enemy was Satan. Some Christians blame God for what Satan does. John 10:10 Satan steals, kills and destroys but Jesus gives life. Luke 10:19 Some Christians do not know that we have power over the power of the enemy. The name of Jesus guarantees our victory over Satan. Our faith overcomes the world. 1John 5:4-5

4. Trying of your faith

Job 1 and Job 2 show that Satan asked God that he may destroy Job's possessions and children and put boils on him and see if Job will still serve God. Job did not deny God even after all the bad things that befallen him. Mark 4:16-17 Some people are offended and fall away when they meet challenges.
Let's do an in-depth study of protection looking at Psalms 91.
V1: You are protected while you remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty. He is the Almighty and there is no enemy mightier or more powerful than our God.
V2 : You need to trust in Him than to trust in man (Psa. 118:8-9)
V3 : The Lord delivers us from the snares of the fowler. The enemy puts snares to kill and to destroy.
V4 : He covers us with his feathers and under his wings do we trust and find refuge. Think of the chicks hiding under the wings of the mother hen for protection.
V5 : You shall not be afraid for the terror by night nor for the arrow that flies by day. This sounds like a command. "Thou shalt not be afraid…"
V7&8: Dangers and calamities may come around you but will not touch you.
V9 : The Lord is our refuge.
V10&11: The Lord has commanded his angels to protect us. (Psalm 34:7). I keep on confessing that there shall no evil befall me, no plague shall come near my dwelling.
V14-16: The Lord has committed himself to deliver us from trouble. He wants to satisfy us with long life.