The Ultimate Hide and Seek

“Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life” Rev 2:10.

One of the most life-giving principles that I have learned over the years has been that God never intended on sin and death to be part of His plan. God is holy and righteous and cannot be near evil. When Adam and Eve chose to believe Satan over God darkness was ushered in. Sin and death walked hand in hand into God’s perfect plan and became constant bedfellows. In the ultimate power move, God sent forth Life to overcome sin and death once and for all. But Life had to prove His righteousness, and was tempted and tested by evil just as we are tested. Life was named Jesus and He was attacked in the desert for 40 days. Not only did He prove worthy and spotless in sin, but was willing to be faithful unto death. As a result He was given the crown of life just like you and I are offered.

Times in my life have certainly been times in prison where the qualities of my heart were tested. I have certainly had some major faith fails, but God continues to test us so we may be victorious. He doesn’t give Satan a license to attack unless there are spiritual workings moving us more into the character of Christ. We must be faithful in allowing God to use these workings of darkness to break through the Light of His goodness and Spirit. ‘God did not give us a spirit of fear and timidity, but one of power, love and self-discipline’ (2 Tim 1:7). Fear is not a quality of God so it should not be a quality of His children. Very rare does fear seem like a choice but it really is and we must recognize it as a quality of darkness. We can cast down any imagination that casts dark shadows in our minds and replace them with the truth of Life – Jesus. When we put on Life we take off the darkness, and become the crown of Jesus to those who need to see Him.

“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God” Col 3:1-3.