A lady was invited to a church for a special conference and told the ministers there, “Don’t forget that there are those in your community praying every day that darkness will enfold the Christian community – that darkness will prevail and that Satan will begin to reign supreme where you live.” Her suggested remedy?
“Bless them!” From every corner of the sanctuary, she said, bless them. Pray down God’s chief-est blessings of mercy and grace and truth upon them. This is not to say that God’s people ought not seek protection and wisdom and the paramount precaution of Christlikeness, but as we live and walk in faith, she said, the key to overcoming evil is to bless those who have been taken captive by the devil to perpetrate it. Sadly, we have sometimes feared them, just as the devil wants us to do.
There is evidence in Scripture that the nearness of God throws the enemy into confusion. King Saul was a MESS when David was around, until David played upon his harp and soothed Saul’s heart until the next time his spiritual captors took over. Demons would scream out in terror when they saw Jesus down the road, heading in their direction. To live in Christ, to know Him, to abide in Him, indicates that we may encounter some devilish disasters and designs, but ours is to bless instead of curse those that have been troubled, robbed, tormented, even when they only seem to be ornery. To this day, when we love our enemies and pray for those that despitefully use us, devils don’t get it!
When we bless others, our blessing doesn’t fall on evil spirits but to undo them, while it begins to make a difference in the lives of those that have been plundered by them. Grace, truth, mercy, the riches of the Lord’s lovingkindness – oh how mighty these are to deliver when we seek to bless those around us! Let’s remember, too that it is the goodness of God that leads men to repentance!
In times of serious oppression, depression, spiritual confusion, or persecution, worship and gratitude and blessing will save the day. Remember Paul and Silas is the jail? They rejoiced, for they knew God would not fail! (Thank you, Dennis Jernigan!) Here in the Abbey, if the Accuser of the Brethren makes an appearance in our lovely sanctuary, we tell him that we are going to worship, and that if he wishes to stay he must join in. What do you suppose happens?
Devils are meant for the abyss . . . all others may yet find mercy and grace, if we would ask our Father to bring them into the mercy and grace which we have received. Bless them with it, whether they have cut you off in traffic or at the grocery store, whether they sit in seats of political honor or have slashed your tires overnight. Wayward children, ferocious adults, and those who beguile others through witchcraft and every kind of evil temptation. They’re just in darkness, that’s all. You are light in the Lord, although you were once darkness, too; walk as children of light, my dear ones. Yours is the almighty power to bless, and curse not.
For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light, (Ephesians 5:8)
Andreas Cruz photography
Cor Unum Abbey 