Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?
October 1, 2019 (Bible Devotional)
And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? — Zechariah 3:2
The Lord rebuke thee
We are never to enter into a dispute with the devil. In the Bible, we see how Jesus handles the attacks of the enemy. First, we can resist the devil by the word of God. This is the best and the most effective method to withstand the attack of the enemy. Second, we can openly rebuke the devil.
When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, he commanded Satan to get behind him. When he disputed about the body of Moses, he rebuked the devil. If we are to enter into a dispute with the enemy of souls, we should be overcome. The safe course to follow is to rebuke the enemy.
Even the Lord
Even Michael, the archangel, did not enter into a controversy with Satan, but simply said the Lord rebuke thee. The highest and the most powerful being in the universe does not dispute with the enemy. Why should we? We must instead follow the course of our master and leader, the captain of our salvation, and rebuke the devil.
O Satan
In the battle between good and evil, Satan is a defeated foe. By faith, we can overcome all the attempts of Satan. It is written, that no weapon is formed against us shall prosper. When we abide in Christ we are safe. There is nothing, nothing, that can befall us without the permission of our protector.
If Satan at a venture towards us we should run toward Christ. This is the way to get the victory. Resist the devil, then submit to God. This is the recommended way to gain victory in our personal life. For we are not striving against human principalities, but against powers in high places. And others for us when we need the supernatural strength of God on our side.
A branch plucked out of the fire
If Satan ever comes to us, and remind us about our past failures, we can remind him of his future. Yes, we may have had mishaps in the past. We may have sinned in the past. We may have failed in the past, but Christ bore our sins in through him we can get the victory.
Satan and all His angels all reserved for everlasting punishment. When Christ comes the second time, Satan will be bound on Earth with no one to tempt. And after a thousand years is accomplished, Satan and all his angels will be destroyed. He is a branch that is plucked out of the fire. And when his time comes he will be no more.
Why should I be afraid then? We have nothing to fear for God is on our side. For the Lord, yes even the Lord, rebukes Satan. He cannot have any dominion over us for we are the Lord’s.
