“who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1:5, ESV)
God is in the faith guarding business. He instills faith in our hearts though his Word and the Sacraments. God does everything to help and empower us to trust him. He preserves and protects our faith.
But Satan is in the faith stealing business. He is described as the prowling lion seeking to devour (see 1 Peter 5:8). And what he devours is faith.
If riches will steal your faith, then Satan will give you riches. If poverty will steal your faith, then Satan will give you poverty. If sickness will steal your faith, then Satan will give you sickness. If persecution will steal your faith, then Satan will give you persecution. If power will steal your faith, then Satan will give you power.
But God will give us the things that will draw us close to him. Satan will give us the things that will push us away from God. Maybe you were angry because you felt like God did not answer your prayer. But maybe the reason he didn’t answer your prayer in the way you wanted was that he knew that what you wanted was not good for your relationship with him.
There are so many things that will steal our faith. This is where we stay vigilant, awake, and aware. The devil is prowling. Your faith may be strong today, but there are no guarantees for tomorrow. Satan can easily knock you down in your flesh. In all things, look to Jesus to guard and protect – to lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil.
Reflection
- What are things that draw you away from God’s presence?
- How have you experience God protecting your faith?
Prayer
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for protecting my faith. Preserve and keep me until life’s end. Keep me vigilant and aware of the devil’s scheme so that nothing will snatch me from your hands. And when I start to wander, seek me and find me. Amen.
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