When we are in distress, we pray. Satan hates that. Like any opponent, he is going to try to throw us off course.
His first tactic, of course, would have been to ramp up the misery as much as possible, so we would never think to pray.
But having failed to stop us, he will need to up his game.
Strategy one will be to cast doubt as to whether God is able to help us. After all, if He could help, wouldn’t He have already done so?
Two blind men once cried out to Jesus for help. Jesus asked them a pointed question.
“Do you believe that I am able to do this?”
He wanted them to stop and consider whether their cries were cries of desperation (“Well, I guess there is nothing more we can do but pray.”) or cries of confidence.
They answered yes. Jesus healed them, telling them, “According to your faith let it be done to you.”
Matthew 9:29
Satan’s next tactic is to cast doubt on whether Jesus would heal us specifically. He might concede the obvious. Jesus did really heal some people. But would He do it for you?
Another man with a big problem called out to Jesus.
A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”
Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!”
Matthew 8:2-4
He has The Power to solve any problem you have. And His Answer to the leper is the same as it is for you. He is willing. Do you believe Him?
If you do, then don’t let satan try his last tactic. You get nowhere believing one minute and doubting the next. Settle the matter right now with God. And don’t doubt!
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.”
James 1:5-7
