2 minute read.
Daily Reading: Zechariah 14:1-21 ESV, Revelation 20:1-15 ESV, Psalm 148:1-14 ESV, Proverbs 31:8-9 ESV
Daily Verse: “and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” (Revelation 20:10 ESV)
PLANAO (4105): “To go astray, wander, frequently active, “to deceive, by leading into error, to seduce.”[1]
Go astray.
Deception leads the way when the devil comes to town; his number one weapon lies. But guess what? All lies get exposed, and Satan’s permanent address includes “Lake of Fire and Sulfur,” not a fun place to spend eternity.
But while the truth comes to light, lies can exhaust us. The false tales we tell ourselves about ourselves, self-rejection, insecurity, and feelings of worthlessness can cripple us.
“If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. If you look at God you’ll be at rest.” Corrie Ten Boom
Look at God.
Keeping a steady gaze upon Jesus will keep the devil’s lies at bay. God quickly helps us discern truth when facing the world’s false tales. Nothing new happens under the sun; our human condition naturally inclined to sinful ways.
“God only knows,” I often say when discussing things of this world. Why do tragedies occur, natural disasters happen, and unexpected troubles attack us? I don’t have an answer. Only the Lord knows how the story unfolds; our lives part of a grander tale.
“For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14 ESV)
Our place in history didn’t happen by chance. Like Esther, God placed us in this time and place for a purpose. Only by seeking Jesus diligently and loving God and people as He did will we fulfill our calling.
Deception runs ragged over the world, lies spinning in all directions. One day, God will reveal the truth, but until then, the Lord helps us discern truth in our lives.
[1] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 202) Thomas Nelson
