There is an enemy that lurks in the shadows, seeking to destroy your soul and divide you away from the life Jesus makes available to believers. The worst part about this enemy is that we often embrace it so tightly, fearing that letting go will make a less of a person. Why is it that we hold on to the very things that seek to divorce us from God’s best?
Why is it that we hold on to the very things that seek to divorce us from God’s best?
Let’s consider the time Jesus prayed for his followers, (which includes you and me!)
“I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.” John 17:15
Let’s also consider the words of Paul to the church in Thessalonica, (and to you and me also!)
“But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.” 2 Thess 3:3
Clearly, in these two scriptures (and there are many, many more), we can see the enemy is referred to as “the evil one.” No surprise so far… but let’s dive deeper.
The Greek word used in the Bible here is ponéros, which is defined as ‘toilsome, bad.’ A deeper reading of the meaning of this word sees it means ‘full of labours, annoyances, hardships.’
Before I attempt to tie these thoughts together, let’s loop back to a contrasting invitation found in the words of Jesus as he made a public invitation to those listening, inviting all who had ears to hear.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke on you and learn from me because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
That doesn’t sound toilsome, does it?
The “evil one” that seeks to destroy us, (mainly because we hold on so tight), is toilsome labour without the rest of Jesus. While Jesus invites us to find rest for our soul, we are busy working so hard that we miss the invitation. Does Jesus refer to you as Martha while others sit at His feet? (Luke 10:41-42)
I believe this is a time where Jesus is inviting us to find rest for our soul. And that is called Sabbath Rest.
My friend Stephen speaks honestly about his battle with busyness in his book, Money and the Prosperous Soul. “Sabbath is not an arbitrary test of obedience. It is a revelation of His design and purpose for success in life. When we try to live outside His design, it causes problems. But in order to live in His design, we must trust His revelation and instruction above our own ideas.”
Stephen shared with me several times how he felt God was not impressed with his toilsome busyness because it kept him from a deeper, personal, relational walk with Him.
God was not impressed with his toilsome busyness because it kept him from a deeper, personal, relational walk with Him
Do you have the same enemy?
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Phil Strong has a new devotional series coming soon. Check out the trailer here: https://youtu.be/r5UiOF0y4YI