Who is disrupting your show? Are you in control of your thoughts, actions, deeds and agenda? God expects you to be in charge, he has given you the tools.
This morning I chanced upon this verse and it caught my attention.
“And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel”1 Chronicles 21:1
What made Satan “stand up”? If he had to stand, what was he doing which called for the author to bring our attention to Satan standing up? Was he laying down, was he held down, was he sitting? The scripture does not explain, I am sure that a theologian somewhere has an apt explanation to this verse, but I will ramble along and give you my theory on “standing up” in this verse.
According to eSword (a Bible app) the Hebrew word is עָמַד (aw-mad) which means arise, dwell, be employed, endure, establish, present, raise up, etc., On their own, these words are good, but in relation to Satan in the verse above, you wonder what could have happened for a faithful, God fearing Israel and David to have Satan stand up. Give him power to “establish”, “arise”, be “present”?
Imagine this, you prepared for a presentation, you have a room full of eager audience, you have a point to make and someone creates confusion in the audience. Having to manage that throws your presentation off kilter.
If you cared enough for your presentation, you would have considered security, avoiding disruption as part of your preparation for the presentation. Where is this analogy going? Your execution of your duties for the day represents your presentation. You have to stay focused on God and not let Satan stand up.
The first activity for the day should be preparation to execute by securing your imagination, holding thoughts hostage through prayer. Then, seek out our good Lord in scripture. “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” -Jeremiah 29:13. Follow it up with a journal entry, reading supplemental material or plan the day. Now you can say, I did not let Satan stand up today. God has secured the perimeter.
Dear God,
Help me stay my mind on you today. May every action, word, deed reflect the salt and light you intend me to be. Only through You and Your grace will my demons be destroyed. I seek You and Your perfect protection today and always. Amen!