Automatically I thought, "When did this happen", obviously with no news for 3 days, I was a little out of whack. My next thought was, "Wow, they finally got him". I had assumed for so long that Bin Laden would never be caught, he seemed so elusive. Hence, I was astonished at the news. However, listening to talk back radio and hearing a lot of views from experts in the field of terrorism, that fact the Bin Laden is dead does not mean terrorism is finished. Reality hits hard sometimes and yes, it is a bit worrying that these types of activities will continue.
This whole issue to me, is very much like the personal battles we have each and every day with Satan. Satan comes to destroy our souls and our relationship with God. God gives safety, as the Psalmist states, "People take refuge in the shadow of your wings" (Ps 36:7). Satan wants to break down the safety net, to give us a doubtful mindset, to get us to turn away from God, to get us to think outside the will of God and lean on our own strength and safety. He will not stop, he will not give up on getting you as far away from God as he can. He comes to terrorise our hearts, through lies, suggestions, fear and much more. He knows what to do to get us walking the path that leads to death and eternal suffering.
I am currently reading a book about living in the spirit. One chapter focused on what I am talking about here. The author, a church minister, tells of one time one of his church members came to him and asked if he could pray for Satan to leave him forever. The minister asked if the member wanted to pray that he would die, he said of course not, why would he want that. The minister told him to be truly and eternally free from Satan, we must die, and once in heaven, Satan cannot touch us at all. How true. Satan is of course the prince of this world (Jn 12:31), as long as we are in the World, Satan will be coming for us.
I am sure that everyone has had to deal with something that seems to overcome them. It could be an addiction, an event, a person, a lifestyle, there are many things Satan will try to bring into our lives to fix our focus on instead of turning to the one who can free us of it. Having said that, how awesome is the feeling of giving something to God and, through his strength and love, being able to overcome it.
Does Satan give up? No. If you do, with God's help, overcome some aspect of your life, Satan will keep pushing it on you, and if you are able to ignore these things, he will find something new. Just like God, Satan will never give up on winning your soul. Luckily we have a love that overcomes ALL, and that is the love of God.
I suppose what I am trying to say, and what I have been learning a lot lately is this: Yes, God has won the victory (Ps 60:12, 1 Cor 15:57, 1 Jn 5:4) that I have no doubt of. At the end of this life, this world, God, My GOD, will stand victorious over the power of darkness, but along the way to that glorious victory, we will have to endure many upon many battles.
God will give us the grace and strength to oppose the evil one, but we must choose to fight for our souls, we must acknowledge our struggles, our falls and our selfish desires and lean on God, who offers strength, love, joy, mercy and Hope. God loves us, He will fight for us, He will bless us, He will bring us to victory, but be aware, Satan will not stop coming, he will not give up...BUT NEITHER WILL GOD.
