"And the Lord said, 'Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat' " (Luke 22:31 NKJV).
Posted : 17 Aug, 2011 12:01 PM
Faith is more frequently and severely attacked than any other grace of the Holy Spirit. That fact will cease to surprise you as you become acquainted with its rank and position in the renewed soul. It is placed in the very front of the battle. Faith is itself the strongest, the most determined, and the most successful foe of the attacking powers of darkness and of sin. Therefore, they marshal and direct all their force, skill, and malignity in effecting its overthrow.
But who is faith's chief and most formidable attacker? It is Satan, the accuser of the brethren, the tempter, the sworn enemy of God and man. It is he, the master-spirit of darkness and woe, who, although a creature, yet so counterfeits God that he seems to be ever present, closely watching, constantly studying, and relentlessly working to deceive and to overthrow, if it were possible, the faith of even the elect (Matt. 24:24).
We cannot now try at length to explain how he is able to pursue the dark designs of his gloomy intellect and to effect the malignant purposes of his depraved heart. Does the ruler of the infernal empire move with such subtlety and speed that it gives him the illusion of omnipresence? Or is it rather that, without being personally present, he receives intelligence and issues commands through the innumerable host of myrmidons* who make up those "principalities and powers," over which Jesus triumphed, "putting them to open shame" (Col. 2:14�15)? However strong the presumption, these still remain points involved in much doubt and obscurity.
But there is a fact about which we are not left to speculate in regard to the eager and restless maneuverings of Satan to weaken, dishonor, and destroy the faith of God's elect. "Satan has asked for you." Observe here the limitation of Satan's power in reference to the believer. This is its utmost extent. He has no power or control over the redeemed except that which God permits. He can only desire, and long, and plot. He must ask. He cannot lay a hand upon them, he cannot assail them by a single temptation, he cannot touch a hair of their head, until God permits him. "Satan has asked for you." There stood the arch-foe waiting permission, as in the case of Job, to seek to destroy the apostle of Christ.
Dear reader, how comforting this truth is to the believing heart. You have often trembled at Satan's power. You perhaps well-near as often have been the involuntary object of his implacable hatred and devious schemes. But now press this rousing thought to your trembling heart�he has no control nor influence nor power over a redeemed soul except that which God permits, and Christ allows. "Thus far shall you come, and no farther" (Job 38:11). These words reveal the inferiority, prescribe the limits, and arrest the progress of the proud fiend.
[* In Greek Mythology, the myrmidons ("ant-people") were a fiercely warlike people who followed Achilles on the expedition against Troy. Hence, a "myrmidon" is a loyal follower who carries out orders without question, protest, or pity.]
by Octavius Winslow, 1856
A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
doth seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great;
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing;
were not the right Man on our side,
the Man of God's own choosing.
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he,
the LORD of Hosts his Name,
from age to age the same,
and he must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God hath willed
his truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo! his doom is sure;
one little Word shall fell him.
That Word above all earthly powers�
no thanks to them!�abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours
through him who with us sideth!;
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill:
God's truth abideth still;
his kingdom is for ever.
(Martin Luther, 1529; tr. by Frederick H. Hedge, 1853)
