The Right Order 2

JAS 4:7 NIV

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

In this race set before us by God to run, it is important for us to know what is expected of us and how we are to run the race. There are always competing interests, attractive distractions and personal interests that must give way If we are to run this race successfully to the end. Today's extract underlines one basic truth that we will face as we run: the devil will come and try to distract us. He knows the importance of running our race well and the blessings that will accrue to us, so all he's interested in doing is giving us alternative distractions and pursuits that will keep us busy and away from the race set before us.

The lesson before is simple: get the priorities and order right. No man can successfully resist the devil without first of all submitting totally to God. The devil has been fighting for relevance even before the account of creation in Genesis started so you can call him an experienced warrior like Goliath. You can't come against him in your strength or by intellectual prowess; he's smart, savvy and skilled in warfare. Your only hope is to Submit first to God then resisting him Becomes possible and easy.

Have you submitted totally to God or are you still holding on to a few areas of your life, thinking that you can handle those areas yourself? If you want victory, peace and life, then you must learn to submit your fears, strengths, wisdom, knowledge, achievements and all at the feet of Christ himself. It is in him and through him that a man can enjoy victory on this journey called life itself.

Have you submitted or are you still trying hard in your own power to resist the devil? Remember, help is available for you, as long as you are totally dependent on God. His time of favour is here.