Don't Allow Satan to Hinder You

1Thess. 2:17-18

In his first letter to the church of the Thessalonians the apostle Paul spoke of his great desire to return there and see them face to face once again.  More than once Paul intended to make the journey; but Satan kept him from it.  Of this Paul said Satan “hindered” him.

Reading this we are lead to think of the many ways Satan hinders us from doing our Christian duty.  It seems to happen all the time.  Just when we resolve to give more liberally, the car breaks down or the refrigerator quits.  If we set a date to visit a brother or sister in the hospital, we become sick ourselves and are confined to bed for a week.  When we finally decide to take up the challenge of teaching a Bible class our hours at work increase and we don’t have the extra time needed any longer.

Yes, Satan is still an active force working against us.  He still hinders us.  And he always will. That is why we should make the most out of every opportunity, “redeeming the time” as Paul says (Col. 4:5).  We must do good each time the opportunity presents itself.

So, go ahead and give more, visit more, do more—today.  We do not know what tomorrow holds.  We must never allow the troubles that may never come stop us from doing the good things we may never have opportunity to do again.

See you on Sunday,

Thomas Sneed