*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*
*WHO HAS THE RIGHT OVER YOU?*
*Scripture Treasure.*
1 Sam 28: 1-10.
*And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. And Achish said unto David, Know thou assuredly, that thou shalt go out with me to battle, thou and thy men.*
*And David said to Achish, Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do. And Achish said to David, Therefore will I make thee keeper of mine head for ever.*
*Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land.*
*And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa.*
*And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled.*
*And when Saul enquired of the Lord, the Lord answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.*
*Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.*
*And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee.*
*And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die?*
*And Saul sware to her by the Lord, saying, As the Lord liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.*
*Insight and Highlight.*
People go to Satan! Do not be one of them.
*Scripture Commentaries.*
Not always does Satan go to some people. They go in search of Satan themselves.
We see in the life of Saul that though Satan goes about looking for whom to devour or goes about looking for his victims, people also go about looking for him.
His story tells us that people seek help from Satan.
Jesus refers to Satan as the prince of this world in three places in the book of John 12:31, 14:30, and 16:11.
Satan's name as the prince of this world and the reference to him as the prince of the power of the air, Eph 2:2, may lead us to conclude that Satan is in control of this world.
Why would people not say so given the evils that are rampant in our world today?
The good news is that though Satan has enormous influence in this world, God is still in control. He is still *"......the governor among the nations."*, Ps 22:28 and Satan can only operate with His permission, Job 1:11, Col 2:10.
Satan has powers, and they are evil, ref Eph 6:12 but not all power as Jesus has, Matt 28:18.
We must avoid him and his agents at all cost.
Satan is a stronghold (ref 2 Cor10:4), and Jesus made reference to him as a strongman, Mk 3:27-29.
How people walk to the devil and expect the devil to leave them become a question begging for answers in Isaiah 49:24.
Here, Isaiah talks about lawful captives. This is the first category
of Satan's victims as Satan's lawful captives.
The story of Saul at the witch of Endor tells us that there are people Satan can claim as his lawful captives.
Saul became Satan's lawful captive, and Satan had a right over him and his body, 1 Sam 31: 9-10.
Isaiah was asking if a captive could be taken from a warrior who had lawfully captured his victim.
In other words, is it possible to rescue victims from someone strong and cruel?
*Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful captive delivered?*
When you walk to Satan, he has a right over you! This is because you have given yourself into his captivity.
However, God says in Isaiah 49:25 *.....the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered:.....*", if you retrace your steps back to Jesus.
The second category of Satan's victims are people that Satan captures at his will.
2 Tim 2:26 says there people *"......are taken captive by him at his will."*
In other words, they are captives whom the devil has taken by his snare, by his will to do his will.
Jesus has a right over you, John 1:12, Rom 8:14.
So does Satan have a right over his captives, John 8:44.
Who has the right over you?
God or Satan?
Let it be God!
*Remorse corner.*
Satan has a right over you as his lawful captive when you walk to him like Saul did.
*Call to Word action.*
If you are Satan's lawful captive but you repent today and walk back to Jesus, God says He *"......will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.*
He *".......will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine:"*, Isaiah 49:25-26.
*The Christian clarion duty.*
Do not allow life's challenges to drive you to Satan. He has nothing to offer or give you. No good thing!
*Prayer.*
Lord, help me. Do not let life's challenges drive me to Satan. Uphold me and be my strength and refuge in Jesus name.
Good morning all, and have a blessed day today.
God bless you.
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