FOOD IN HIS WORD

“The devil deprives some people of this scriptural relief by mere laziness. They complain about doubts and fears like sluggards crying out of their poverty as they lie in bed.

Strengthen hope by studying God's Word diligently. The Christian is bred by the Word and he must be fed by it or his grace will shrivel up and die. The growing baby feeds often at the breast. As God has provided food in His Word to nourish every grace, so the Scriptures provide nutrients for the saint's strong and solid hope. "That we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope" Romans 15:4. The devil knows this so well that he works hard to deprive the Christian of the help stored in the Word. And he is right, for as long as this river remains unblocked which makes glad the City of God, with comfort brought in on the stream of its precious promises, he can never besiege the City.

The devil deprives some people of this scriptural relief by mere laziness. They complain about doubts and fears like sluggards crying out of their poverty as they lie in bed. But they will not get up and search for the Word for the satisfaction of their need. Of all others, these sell their comfort most cheaply. Who pities the starving man who has bread before him but refuses to move his hand to take it?

To some Christians, Satan presents false applications of the Word and thereby troubles their spirits. The devil is an exceptionally bright student in theology and makes no other use of his Scripture knowledge than to lure the saint into sin-- or into despair for having sinned. He is like a dishonest lawyer who attains legal skill merely to force an honest man into serious problems by the tangles suit he brings against him.

Now if Satan so proficiently manipulates the Word to weaken your hope and deprive you of your inheritance, you should develop a holy skill to maintain the right and defend your hope. In your study of the Word, then, you must closely pursue two goals-- and pursue them until they are yours.”

Quoted material from, ”The Christian in Complete Armour Daily Readings in Spiritual Warfare” by Gurnall and James S Bell. http://www.moodypublishers.com/pub_productDetail.aspx?id=41823&pid=53617