Devotion for Friday, August 11, 2023

“And it was given to him to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast would even speak and cause all who do not worship the image of the beast to be killed” (Revelation 13:15).

It was given to him.  He did not have it, but it was given.  Do you think the Lord is given anything when you give Him what was already His?  Of course not.  The tricks of the devil are to take your eyes off the Lord and live the lie that you do not need the Lord.  Kill you?  No, only hasten your journey to be with the Lord forever.  The devil can kill the body, but if you are Christ’s own forever the Lord has promised you salvation if you endure to the end.

Lord, the emotional tugs of this world cause me to be afraid.  Help me, dear Lord, to live in the true hope You give so that even if I am killed, I will not try to save my own skin.  I will die and You have promised that even though I die, yet shall I live.  Keep Your promises close to my heart so that I am led by You and not by the insanity of this crazy world.  Rulers will rise who demand that we worship them, but there are no other gods besides You, the Lord of all.

Lord Jesus, God in the flesh, even You were crucified when You would not do as the earthly rulers wanted.  Help me to understand this clearly.  We face persecution because this world is in rebellion, but You have come to save those who look to You.  Guide me in the way of everlasting life and lead me according to Your promises to live into the eternal life You give by  grace through faith.  Amen.