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When Satan Tempts You To Despair
July 7, 2023
by Asheritah Ciuciu

“Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died more than that, who was raised to life is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” Romans 8:34 (NIV)

For years, most of my prayer journal entries started with confessing the same sin struggle over and over again. Few things are as humbling as facing a long record of your own shortcomings in black and white.  For some of us, that record is physically written in our own handwriting. For others, it’s evoked by mental flashbacks to past behaviors we’d rather forget. For still others, it’s whispered by the enemy, who tells us all the ways we fall short. I’m reminded of the old hymn “Before the Throne of God Above”:  “When Satan tempts me to despair, And tells me of the guilt within, Upward I look and see Him there Who made an end of all my sin.”

There really is an accuser who hurls allegations against God’s people before God (Zechariah 3:1-2; Revelation 12:10). And let’s be honest: We all sin. Most of those allegations are probably deserved.  But do you know who now stands before God's throne, interceding on our behalf?

Jesus.  Thanks be to God that Jesus is standing right there defending us before the Father. Not because our good deeds outweigh our bad ones. We have no hope of that. But because Jesus offers His own perfect righteousness to cover all our sins:  “Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died more than that, who was raised to life is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us” (Romans 8:34).

We will still struggle against sin as long as we live in these earthly bodies. And it’s healthy to keep short accounts by regularly confessing our sin and receiving God’s forgiveness.  But we do not have to struggle alone. In the fight against our own flesh and the forces of evil, God equips us with the breastplate of righteousness to stand against the enemy's schemes: “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place …” (Ephesians 6:14, NIV).

The wonder of the breastplate of righteousness is that it is not our own righteousness that protects us: It's the perfect righteousness of Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21).  What shields your core the very center of your being, the most vulnerable place an enemy would try to attack you is not your own ability to do the right thing. In that case, our breastplates would be full of holes where sin struggles have eaten through like rust. Rather, the protection that covers our front and back is the titanium-strength, sin-proof, perfect, spotless righteousness of Jesus.  Like Adam and Eve trying to cover themselves with fig leaves in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3:7), we could never cover ourselves with our own righteousness. It’s only the sacrifice of the spotless Lamb of God that covers us from head to toe.

When God the Father looks at you and me, He sees Jesus’ perfect righteousness, not our own repeated failures.  Hallelujah! What a wonderful and merciful Savior!  So let’s come boldly before the throne of God to receive mercy and grace in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16).  Let’s put on Jesus’ righteousness by confessing our sin struggles and receiving His forgiveness and grace. We can ask Him to prepare us for battle as we put to death the sins of the flesh and walk in obedience to His Spirit. And we can rest in the victory of Christ Jesus as we continue walking in His righteousness day by day.

Memo from company's Director General to Manager:

Today at 11 o'clock there will be a total eclipse of the sun. This is when the sun disappears behind the moon for two minutes. As this is something that cannot be seen every day, time will be allowed for employees to view the eclipse in the car park. Staff should meet in the car park at ten to eleven, when I will deliver a short speech introducing the eclipse, and giving some background information. Safety goggles will be made available at a small cost.

Memo from Manager to Department Head:

Today at ten to eleven, all staff should meet in the car park. This will be followed by a total eclipse of the sun, which will disappear for two minutes. For a moderate cost, this will be made safe with goggles.  The Director General will deliver a short speech beforehand to give us all some background information. This is not something that can be seen every day.

Memo from Department Head to Floor Manager:

The Director General will today deliver a short speech to make the sun disappear for two minutes in the eclipse. This is something that can not be seen every day, so staff will meet in the car park at ten or eleven. This will be safe, if you pay a moderate cost.

Memo From Floor Manager to Supervisor:

Ten or eleven staff are to go to the car park, where the Director General will eclipse the sun for two minutes. This doesn't happen every day. It will be safe, but it will cost you.

Memo from Supervisor to staff:

Some staff will go to the car park today to see the Director General disappear. It is a pity this doesn't happen every day.

It's your turn today, niz!