In a 1789 letter to French scientist Jean-Baptist Le Roy, Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers of the United States, writes, “Our new Constitution is now established, and has an appearance that promises permanency; but in this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Generally speaking, few would argue with Franklin on the certainty of death and taxes. For the Christian, however, two other things are even more certain – the faithfulness of our God (Lamentations 3:22–24) and the ongoing mission of our adversary, who roams about like a roaring lion seeking not only whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8), but also to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10).
As we go about our daily lives, Peter admonishes us to “be sober, be vigilant” and characterizes our enemy as like a roaring lion—hungry, fierce, strong, and cruel. Of our enemy’s business, Bible Scholar Matthew Henry writes, “His whole design is to devour and destroy souls. To this end, he is unwearied and restless in his malicious endeavors; for he always, night and day, goes about studying and contriving whom he may ensnare to their eternal ruin.” Henry continues on our duty to be sober and vigilant: “1. To be sober, and to govern both the outward and the inward man by the rules of temperance [self-control], modesty, and mortification [self-denial; the killing of the flesh]. 2. To be vigilant; not secure or careless, but rather suspicious of constant danger from this spiritual enemy, and, under that apprehension, to be watchful and diligent to prevent his designs and save our souls.”
As the devil relentlessly pursues the children of God, where does the faithfulness of God come in? In the book of Luke, we see a conversation between Jesus and Simon Peter shortly after He and the disciples had finished supper. According to the narrative, “And the Lord said, ‘Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat’” (Luke 22:31, KJV). In the Amplified Bible, the verse reads, “Simon, Simon (Peter), listen! Satan has demanded permission to sift [all of] you like grain.” Satan not only desired to have Peter and the others, he demanded permission to have them. For probably the first time, Peter was speechless. As he listened, Jesus continued, “But I have prayed [especially] for you [Peter], that your faith [and confidence in Me] may not fail; and you, once you have turned back again [to Me], strengthen and support your brothers [in the faith]” (v. 32).
What comfort! Satan seeks to destroy, but amid his assault, we have the prayer of the Savior that our faith does not fail. Henry observes, “It is owing to the mediation and intercession of Jesus Christ that the faith of His disciples, though sometimes sadly shaken, yet is not sunk. If they were left to themselves, they would fail; but they are kept by the power of God and the prayer of Christ. The intercession of Christ is not only general, for all that believe, but for particular believers (I have prayed for [you]), which is an encouragement for us to pray for ourselves, and an engagement upon us to pray for others too.” What a great reminder that while we do our part here, in the spiritual realm, Christ has our backs! That encourages me and gives me the confidence to keep pressing through the adversary’s obstacles. How about you?