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There is nothing coincidental about God's plan for the lives of His children. The Bible assures us that not even a tiny sparrow falls to the ground apart from the will of our Heavenly Father, (Matt. 10:29)and that even the very hairs on our heads are numbered. (Matt. 10:30) That kind of attention to detail does not describe a God who leaves things up to chance. That kind of attention to every minute detail is not a God of coincidence. Every single thing that happens, whether good or bad, is all somehow a part of God's master plan.
The problem is, our enemy, the devil, has a plan for our lives, as well, and his plan is no coincidence, either. John 10:10 summarizes his plan pretty clearly: "The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy." Did you get that? To steal, kill, and destroy.... any way he can. I don't think we take that verse very seriously, but I assure you, the enemy is serious about it!
Let's look at the differences between God's plans for us, and satan's plans. | SATAN'S PLAN |
GOD'S PLAN | | John 10:10(a): "The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy." |
John 10:10(b): "But I have come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly." |
| I Peter 5:8: Be self-controlled, and alert: for your enemy, the devil, roams the world like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. |
Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord; "Plans to prosper you and not harm you; plans to give you hope, and a future." |
| John 8:44(b): "He was a murderer from the beginning, and a liar, because there is no truth in him. And when he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own, for he is a liar, and the father of all lies." |
I Cor. 2:9: "It is written: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." |
When we are attacked by various problems, whether physical, spiritual, or emotional, we need to realize it is NOT merely a coincidence. When we are being besieged, bewildered, and bombarded, we have to understand that there is more going on here than we might be aware of. Ephesians 6:12 tells us:
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
We do not have any idea what kind of battle may be going on in heaven when we face our times of attack, trial, and temptation. We may never know until we reach glory what was at stake in our struggles. But we don't have to. It is enough to know that He is in control. It is enough to know that He gave us all the weapons we need to defend ourselves and gain victory. (see Eph. 6: 13-18) It is enough to know that the battle isn't ours; the battle belongs to the Lord! (I Sam. 17:47; also II Chron. 20:15) and He will give us the victory!
We just need to learn to put on the full armor of God, and stand firm against the wiles and snares of the enemy. He doesn't tell us we have to fight the battle alone; His Word tells us
to dig in, and hold our ground! The battle is His, we just have to be obedient. There may be much more at stake than we know!
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