Discouraged by Satan's Intrigues

17 MAY

Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, Amos hath conspired against thee in the midst of the house of Israel: the land is not able to bear all his words. For thus Amos saith, Jeroboam shall die by the sword, and Israel shll surely be led away captive out of their own land. Amos 7:10-11

SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Luke 7: 31-35

We must be watchful, not only against the open violence and cruelty of enemies, but also against their intrigues, for as Satan is a murderer, and has been so from the beginning, so he is also the father of lies. Whosoever then strenuously and constantly wishes to work for the church and for God must prepare for a contest with evil. He must resist all fears and all intrigues.

I have not said without reason that God's servants ought to be prepared against the fear of death. They must remain intrepid, though they die, and lay down their necks, if need be, while performing their office, to seal their doctrine in their own blood. On the other hand, they should be prudent, for the enemies of the truth will often assail them by flatteries. Our experiences today sufficiently prove this.

More danger, I know, has risen when enemies attempt to terrify us by such objections as: "What is your purpose for doing this? The whole world must necessarily at length be consumed by calamities. Why do you seek that religion should flourish everywhere, sound learning should be valued, and peace should prevail? The fiercest war is at hand. Once it arises, all places will be full of calamities. Savage barbarity and cruelty will follow, and religion will perish. You will cause all of this by your persistence."

These things have often been said to us. When we read this passage, we ought to notice the methods by which Satan tries to undermine the efforts of the godly and the constancy of God's servants.

John Calvin

FOR MEDITATION: 

Amos's example teaches us that we should not be surprised when we are misrepresented. With the mass media surrounding us, the possibility of intrigue and calamity is greater today than ever before. Satan easily can, and does, use these means to cast continual doubt upon the gospel and those who profess it.

365 Days With Calvin

Selected and Edited by Joel R. Beeke