Today’s meditation is a summary of the powerful introduction to our 3 days seminar with Pastor Daniel Kouadio (Bethanie Arbre de Vie, Perrugia, Italy).
My brother, my sister, Pastor Daniel used today’s passage to show us that Simon who ate and walked in the shadow of Jesus was claimed by the devil. So what do you think is happening for you and I then? Then He went further to recall us that Moses too, despite suffering and enduring so much, for so many years and for the people of God throughout his ministry was not able to enter the Promised Land, just for not obeying God once, when he struck the rock instead of talking to the rock (Numbers 20:11). But this is not really very important. Yet, what should make us wonder is the fact that, after Moses died, Satan disputed Moses’ body with the archangel of God (Jude 1:9). My friend, it is serious: if Satan could claim Moses before the angel of God, while Moses was able to stand physically before God, what would become of us who sin and disobey the Word of God blatantly everyday?
Pastor Daniel Kouadio also showed us that because sin is what gives Satan the right to raise a claim for us, even God can do nothing. Let’s read the Word: “Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him (Zechariah 3:1-4). My friend, the High Priest Joshua is standing before God, and Satan is near him? To accuse him? Because his clothes were dirty. How many of us go to God while our garments are filled with the dirt of our sins (hatred, gossips, slander, bitterness, fornication, adultery, driving cars or wearing clothes of the tithes or offerings that should have been given to God)? My friend, Satan is not afraid of the angel of God. He will be right next to you to ensure that what you are asking God for is not answered because the sin in your life gives him a right. That is the reason why so many people do not manage to have access to or possess their blessings.
Now let’s understand that, Satan can claim only what belongs to him. He is the father of lies (John 8:44) and the the accuser of our brethren (Revelation 12:10). So, whenever you disobey God, it is simple and clear: “The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning” (1 John 3:8). And this is what gives him the right to claim you and accuse you before God. That is the reason why God is asking us to obey Him! Obedience to God is the only thing that makes Satan to stop claiming us. So my friend, you do not have time to mind other people’s businesses in church, for there is so much to do with yourself. If Simon, Moses, the High Priest Joshua… people who could stand in the presence of God physically were claimed by Satan, you should wonder about yourself, you who know what the Word of God says and deliberately ignore it every single day. Some people have this false belief that because the thief who was on the cross along with Jesus could enter the Kingdom, even at the last minute they could have the possibility to make it to heaven too. Yes, Moses might have repented for hitting the rock, yet and still, Satan came to fight and claim his right to take him to hell after his death, but the Archangel of God won over him. Are you sure God’s angel will have enough grounds to come and defend you once you are dead, if Satan comes to claim for you? While you are alive, you can make the decision to where you want to go after life on earth by changing your life and abandoning sin and disobedience to God. I pray that, as you read this meditation, you are touched by the Spirit of God and that you commit yourself to repent today, pray that God will forgive you for your rebellion, your sins, your disobedience; pray that God will teach you to obey Him and be faithful to His Word. Stay blessed in Jesus’ name.