The shining stronghold of God:
though its chief doorways are great,
none enters in from the habitations of earth
save three persons.
The person who keeps God’s law;
the person who is truly a virgin;
the noble penitent
who admits and does not conceal his deeds.
– Saltair na Rann, Irish, 9th-10th century[1]
And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
– Revelation 12.17
The four descriptions in our excerpt and text refer to the same person: the one who believes in Jesus, is truly saved, and belongs to Him eternally.
Believers, in other words.
Believers are the true virgins, for they keep themselves only to one Bridegroom, our Lord Jesus. Believers are the noble penitents, because they confess their sins and repent of them readily, without fear of judgment or annihilation. Believers keep God’s Law, as Jesus did, seeking that Kingdom greatness He promised (1 Jn. 2.1-6; Matt. 5.17-19). Believers bear consistent testimony to their Savior and King.
Those who believe in Jesus have made the Kingdom turn into full and abundant life in Christ. They grow in the Lord, thwart the devil and his wiles and temptations, embody the holiness of God’s Law and Spirit, and boast about Jesus to anyone who will listen (2 Cor. 10.13-18). They have entered the shining stronghold of God—His City, that is, His Church—and they live confidently in the expectation of being fully incorporated into Him in the years of eternity to come.
No wonder the devil hates believers so much. They are the proof that his iron-clad plan to overthrow humanity and gain the throne of God cannot succeed. They are the sands of resistance dropping through the hourglass of his time, as it runs out.
The devil hates believers with fury. He wages unrelenting spiritual warfare against us, and is always trying to deceive, distract, and destroy us through temptations and trials of various kinds.
If we are sincere in our faith as true followers of Jesus, we will experience the dragon’s hatred. We will know sorrows, disappointments, trials, and temptations on every hand, as well as occasional doubts, fits of unbelief, and the anger and deceit of men. We will weep tears of repentance and devote ourselves daily to bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. And we will overcome our fear of men to talk confidently and consistently about the Lord Who has saved us.
It’s a good thing to experience the devil being mad at you, because then you can know you’re walking faithfully with the Lord. You’re right where you ought to be, which is right where the devil does not want you to be.
Too bad for him.
I’m not suggesting that we court trouble here. I’m just saying that all who are serious about and cling only to the Lord and His Word, who practice daily repentance and obedience, and who bear consistent witness to the Lord of glory, can expect to be harassed and troubled by the enemy of our souls.
So when it happens, do not despair, and do not shrink back. Take up all the weapons of your warfare (Eph. 6.10-20), and rejoice, give thanks, and soldier on.
For Reflection
1. Why does it make sense that the devil should be enraged at you?
2. What are the best ways of resisting the devil, so that he will flee from us?
Psalm 3.1-4, 7, 8 (Eventide: Abide with Me)
LORD, all around my foes are multiplied,
rising against me, like a ’whelming tide.
Many are saying of my weary soul,
“Not even God can save or make him whole!”
You are a mercy shield about me, LORD,
raising me by Your glory and Your Word.
Prayers fraught with tears stream from me like a fount,
yet God will answer from His holy mount.
Rise up, O LORD, rise up and rescue me!
Let all my foes destroyed and routed be!
Grace and salvation, LORD, are Yours alone.
Bless and protect all those You call Your own.
Give thanks
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest this week: Read Moore (from the book, Revived!); from The Scriptorium, “Wisdom Calls”, part of our ongoing study of Jesus throughout the Scriptures; and “More of Jesus”, from our ReVision series, “Pray for Your Church.” And new in our bookstore, Let God Be True and Enjoying God, both free to download and share.
Thank you.
Many of you are faithful and generous in praying for and supporting Crosfigell and The Fellowship of Ailbe. Thank you. May I encourage all our readers to seek the Lord about becoming a supporter of The Fellowship of Ailbe? It’s easy to give to The Fellowship of Ailbe, and all gifts are, of course, tax-deductible. You can click here to donate online through credit card or PayPal or Anedot, or send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.
T. M. Moore
All Psalms for singing from The Ailbe Psalter. Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
[1] Carey, p. 112.
