Along with creatures described as "principalities and powers" , "world-rulers of darkness" and "spiritual hosts of wickedness", Satan is pictured as dwelling in "the heavenlies", (Eph. 6:11-12). This is the very sphere in which the saints are NOW seated "in Christ", (Eph. 1:3). Though various biblical references speak of his being "cast down", "cast out" or "falling from heaven", they appear to be more prophetic than historical.
    But Satan is NOT limited to the heavenlies as his sole sphere of action. He is said to go "to and fro in the earth" -- seeking someone to devour, (Job 1:7; I Pet. 5:8).
    This archenemy of God is closely associated, in the scriptures, with sin, sickness and death, (Gen. 3:1-6; Acts 10:38; Luke 13:16; Heb. 2:14). He tempts men to sin, lays snares for their feet and implants wicked thoughts and purposes in their hearts, (I Thess. 3:1-6; I Tim. 3:7; 2 Tim. 2:26; Acts 5:3; John 13:2). At times he actually enters into men -- taking personal possession of their lives, (Eph. 4:27; Jas. 4:7; John 13:27). As a master deceiver, he attempts to counterfeit

the work of God -- blinding the minds of men lest the light of the Gospel should so dawn upon them as to persuade them to trust in Jesus," (John 14:23; Eph. 2:2; Phil. 2:13; 2 Cor. 4:1).
    Satan sows tares in God's field and snatches away the good seed lest men should hear and live, (Matt. 13:39; Mark 4:15; Matt. 13:19). And the day will come when he will give power to the Man of Sin to utterly deceive those who are perishing because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved, (2 Thes. 2:9-10).
    Throughout the present age the people of God must contend with the enemy of souls. He has a religion "ready-made" for all who find offense in the simplicity, or straightness, of God's order, (2 Cor. 11:14-15; Rev. 3:9). His messengers often buffet God's servants and resist them in carrying out the work that God has given them to do. With God's permission, he even "sifts" the disciples of Christ, slanders them night and day, and imprisons them in the darkness of disappointment, discouragement, failure and despair, (Luke 22:31; Rev. 12:9-10; 2:10).
    With such an enemy abroad it is

    "The word of the Lord is tried He is a buckler to all those that trust in him!, (Psa. 18:30).
    Hope in the promises of God is an anchor to the soul of man. Whatever storm or tempest may rage without; however the tumultuous waves of corruption may roll within; the child of God knows that His Father is mightier than all. Thus, he is able to rest upon the promises God has made to His own people.
    David often put the promises of God to the test; nor did he ever find one of them to fail. Therefore he was ever bold and daring. If a troop stood in his way, he ran right through, (2 Sam. 22:30). If a wall crossed his path, he leaped over it, (Psalm 18:29). And when his enemies rose up against him they stumbled and fell, (Psa.27:2).
It was from the depths of experiential assurance that David could say: "The word of the Lord is tried".

Saints in every age have tested it and found it as solid as a mountain of brass, (Deut. 7:9). However far-reaching some of God's promises may appear to be, they will all be performed; not a single one of them will fail!! (Isa. 25:1; I Kings 8:56). Whatever God promises He fulfills; His promise is as good as the finished act, (Isa. 46:11). He will NEVER make a deceptive promise but will always perform according to His Word, (Heb. 10:23).
    And we may be assured that God is a "buckler" to all those that truly trust Him. "A buckler", or shield, is a piece of defensive armor, used to ward off the blows of swords or arrows. God's truth and loving favor are all the shield and buckler needed for those who wholly trust in Him, (Psalm 5:12; 18:2; 35; 91:4).
    To such poor, undeserving sinners as trust in His word there comes a consolation that, is sweet, strong and enduring. Trust in Him. Live for Him. Risk all upon Him, and you will find this true in your own experience.

    A child of God may safely abandon himself to the care and guidance of his heavenly Father, as a sheep to the care of a shepherd, and trust him completely. Though it may appear that you are in the midst of a desert, with nothing green about you, and feel that you can have no green pastures without making a long journey, trust him still! The Good shepherd is able to make your desert to rejoice and blossom as a rose.

    In John 5:40-47 Jesus rebukes a wrong attitude, an attitude of willful unbelief, in His hearers. "Ye WILL NOT come to me, that ye might have life!" (comp. Matt. 23:37). In a matter of willful rejection, the Jews had clearly set themselves against Him. His tender eagerness to give them life is met by a stubborn rejection of anything with which He was associated.
    Though calling God their Father; the Jews did not really love Him, (vs. 42). Love that is real must be rooted in knowledge; they knew neither the Father nor the Son. They claimed to love God and thought they proved it by their zeal for the law. In reality, however, they only loved their own IDEAS ABOUT GOD! They did not present to Him true love -- in which self is lost. Jesus well knew that they were only deceiving themselves. Had they loved the Father they would also have loved the Son who so perfectly exhibited the Father's glorious attributes.
    Rejecting the Son of Man, Jesus' own people were ever ready to follow a false Christ or prophet, (vs. 43). He had come in the "Father's name" -- with all the credentials of true messiahship in evidence; and the nation refused Him, (Jn. 1:11; 3:19). Another shall "come in his own name" -- with all deceivableness of unrighteousness; the nation will readily receive him and bow before him, (2 Thess. 2:3-10).
    Jesus was both despised and rejected because He rebuked the vain-glorious pride wherein men admired

and honored themselves, (vs. 44). He never sought the honor of men; it was His desire to so please the Father as to receive His commendation, (vs. 41; comp. I Thess. 2:6). But they had a sort of mutual-admiration society -- craving the flattery and praise of their fellows, (John 12:43; 2 Cor. 10:12). But they had no desire for such honor as God alone can bestow,(Rom. 2:29).
    It will not be necessary for Jesus to accuse them before the Father. Moses himself will bear witness against them, (vs. 45-47; comp Rom. 2:12). They claimed to highly value his writings above all others; but they did not really believe them. Had they believed Moses, it would not have been difficult for them to believe Jesus. All of us need to understand that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD! His lordship is unquestionably set forth in the Scriptures. It is important that people everywhere search the Scriptures diligently -- with a willingness to be instructed and guided by them, (Deut. 11:18-21; Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2; 119:11; Prov. 6:23; 8:33; Isa. 8:20; 34:16; Luke 16:20; Acts 17:11).
    But such zeal for the Scriptures as fails to discover and appropriate the Living Christ (by faith) evidences a blindness that can only lead to spiritual and eternal ruin.
    May Jesus truly rule AS LORD in each of our hearts and lives!
Not so in haste, my heart;
    Have faith in God, and wait;
Although He linger long,
    He never comes too late.

They are slaves who fear to speak
For the fallen and the weak;
They are slaves who will not choose
Hatred, scoffing, and abuse,
Rather than in silence shrink
From the truth they needs must
   think!
They are slaves who dare not be
In the RIGHT with two or three.
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage," Gal. 5:1).

wise to be: sober, vigilant and watchful, (I Peter 5:8). Not only must we give him no place; we must positively resist him --putting on the whole armor of God that we may be able to stand against his wiles, (Eph. 4:27; Jas. 4:7; Eph. 6:11).
    In reality, Jesus Christ has already gained the victory over the devil, (Heb. 2:14; Col. 2:15). He has been under a curse since he tempted the first human pair in the Garden of Eden, (Gen. 3:14; Isa. 65:25). Eternal fire has been prepared for him and his angels,(Matt. 25:41). By His own death at Calvary, Christ has openly triumphed over all the hosts of Satan and provided for His eternal banishment from the realm of eternal life, (Col. 2:15; John 12:31).
    It will not be long before the Lord Jesus will bruise Satan under the feet of His own people, (Rom. 16:20). At our Lord's return the devil will be bound and cast into the abyss for a thousand years, (Rev. 20:1-3.). Failing to cease his rebel1ion; leading an insurrection against the King of kings; he will ultimately be cast into the lake of fire and tormented day and night forever and ever, (Rev. 20:7-10).
    Such as are truly wise will be on constant guard against the wiles of the devil. Never assuming themselves able to triumph over his devices, by their own wisdom and strength, they will fully commit their way unto the Lord -- walking daily in His order, in the light of His Word. E.G.