Deflecting Satan's Arrows

Today my morning devotion came from Galatians 2:15-21, and in verse 20 these words are found, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” The writer of the devotion made a remark about how hard it is to live as Christ is in us and that it is a battle every day to do so. As I sat pondering her remarks and this particular scripture verse I imagined a battle in a place that I am not privy to, in a realm far beyond what I can see with human eyes. A battle between God’s mighty and holy army against the enemy, the prince of this world, Satan and his demons. The angelic forces advance with shields in place, the enemy retreats while firing arrows at them, most of which are deflected into nothingness. Some however, miss and find their targets among mankind. Those arrows may be deception, doubt, discouragement, diversion, defeat or delay.

Especially during the Christmas season, the ending of one year and the beginning of another I see Satan’s arrows flying; however it occurs daily. He uses this time of joy, happiness, love and family to hit those who are bereaved, have lost jobs; where there is sickness in the family Satan fires his arrows causing doubt and discouragement. He also uses the arrows of “busy-ness” to keep up from focusing on the real reason for the season; the birth of Christ our Saviour. I would encourage you to re-read the story of the birth of Christ from the Gospel of Luke. Then take a look at Isaiah 9:6, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, the Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Our Lord was born to die for us, to take our sins upon his shoulders, to hang upon the cross and defeat Satan and death. He can deflect the arrows of Satan. Often it may seem impossible, but from Luke 1:37 we see this: “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”

If you are experiencing any of those arrows of deception, doubt, discouragement, diversion, defeat or delay I pray that you will find the promise of the tiny babe born in the manger, the crucified Christ is still strong today.

Trust Him and know the assurance of Paul as he wrote in Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me.”

Jesus Christ is our only shield against Satan’s arrows.