Peter Misselbrook's Blog

May 13 2020 - 2 Corinthians 2:5-17 – Satan’s devices defeated

From the beginning, Satan has been intent upon destroying the work of God. Though he may not be able to snatch the child of God from the pierced hands of Christ he can do much damage; he can destroy their testimony to Christ or rob them of their assurance of salvation and of the joy and peace that flow from it.

Paul writes to the Christians at Corinth to give pastoral advice concerning one of their number who had gone astray. They had followed Paul’s advice in disciplining this individual but, now that he has been brought to repentance, they are in danger of driving him to despair by continued hard treatment. Assure him of your love and acceptance, says Paul. Assure him that he is forgiven so that Satan does not get the better of him. “We are not ignorant of his devices”, Paul concludes. We know how Satan thinks; we know the ways he schemes and seeks to rob the child of God of the blessings of their salvation. Knowing how he works enables us to be active in working against him at every turn and, by the power of the Spirit of God, ensuring that he does not win the battle.

We need to be spiritually aware. We are not to become fascinated by Satan, but we are to become familiar with the way in which he works, both in our own lives and in the lives of others. If we would withstand his attacks upon ourselves, and if we would guard and strengthen Christian friends against his attacks, we need to be familiar with the way he works. We need to be good doctors, diagnosing the disease in order to prescribe the right medicine. Paul told the Ephesian elders to “Keep watch over yourselves and over every one of the flock for whom the Holy Spirit has made you responsible” (Acts 20:28). This is, in measure, the calling of every Christian – and for this we need to be aware of Satan’s devices.

We have a real and dangerous adversary. Peter speaks of him as being like a roaring lion, prowling about seeking someone to devour. But he is no match for Christ, nor for the Spirit whom God has given us. Recognise the roar; be prepared for the attack and you will send him away hungry.

Paul concludes the verses we have read today with a paradoxical picture. His readers at Corinth would have been familiar with triumphal processions which were accompanied by incense burnt to the gods, with its fragrance wafting over the spectators. To many, Paul appears to be a conquered slave, exposed to public ridicule. But it is Christ who has captured him and he thanks God that he has been drawn to follow in Christ’s victory procession. The sweet smell of the gospel hangs over these happy followers and reaches to all around them. To some it is a pleasing aroma that brings life. Others cannot stand the message of a crucified Saviour; it is repugnant to them. This same message, which brings life to those who embrace it, brings death to those who reject it.

“Who is equal to such a task?” asks Paul. He recognises that he is engaged in life-and-death issues. The victory procession may have begun, but the battle is not yet over. There is a battle still to be waged against an unbelieving world; a battle of love which seeks to win them with “the pleasing aroma of Christ”. And there is a continuing struggle against Satan’s forays within the fellowship of God’s people. Who is equal to such a task? We are – but only as we follow in Christ’s victory procession and rely upon the power of his Spirit.

Lord Jesus Christ, you have conquered Satan, sin and death. Gladly we follow you in your victory procession. May our lives convey something of the sweet smell of the gospel to those around us, bringing life to many. May Satan be robbed of his kingdom and his power.

May 13 2019 - 2 Samuel 18 – The death of Absalom

David had been forced to flee from Jerusalem before the rebellion of his son Absalom. He escaped to the city of Mahanaim, a place near the Jabbok, beyond the Jordan, where angels had met Jacob as he returned from Paddan Aram to meet with his brother Esau (see Genesis 32:1). Meanwhile, Absalom has put together an army to pursue David and his supporters. David has to prepare his men for a battle. How tragic that lives must now be lost in a battle between David and his own son to see which of them can secure the kingdom for himself.

David divided his troops into three bands: one under Joab the commander of his army; one under Abishai, Joab's brother; one under Ittai the Gittite who had sworn allegiance to David. They left the city to face battle refusing to allow David to go with them because they wanted to make sure that the king was not captured. David's last words to the three commanders as they left the city were, "Be gentle with the young man Absalom for my sake" (v. 5). David loved his wayward and rebellious son, even though Absalom seemed intent not only on seizing his throne but on taking his life.

The story of Absalom's death is well known. This young man with flowing locks of hair was riding his mule through the woods where the battle was being fought when he came across David's men. As Absalom turned to flee his hair got caught in the overhanging branch of a great oak tree. Absalom's mule went on its way leaving its owner hanging in the air. One of Joab's men told him that he had seen Absalom hanging there. Joab asked why the man had not killed him. The soldier reminded Joab of David's final instructions, but Joab would have none of it. Joab went to where Absalom was hanging and thrust three javelins into him, one piercing his heart. The battle was over; the Israelites fled back to their homes while Joab and his men buried Absalom in the forest.

Joab had proved himself a wise commander of David's army. No doubt he had argued that if Absalom was spared and lived it would not have been long before he started another rebellion. Nevertheless, he had disobeyed the king's explicit instructions and taken no notice of David's deep love for his rebellious son.

When the news of Absalom's defeat and death reaches David, he finds no joy in his victory and that of his men but only deep sorrow and mourning that his son is dead. David "went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: ‘O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you – O Absalom, my son, my son!’" (v.33).

David had failed to be the godly king the Lord had called him to be. He had been weak and sinful, had set a bad example to his sons and had failed to discipline them or to work at reconciliation with them. We have a king over us, David's greater son, who is quite different. He is the very best of kings, the perfect example of what it means to live the life God requires. Nevertheless, we, by nature are rebels against him. Given the gracious and loving character of Jesus' rule, we are rebels without a cause.

King Jesus has waged war not on us but upon the prince of our rebellion – on Satan himself. David's mourning over his son, "O my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you", was a mark of his helpless love for his son. King Jesus loved us in all our rebellion against him and did die instead of us. He died in our place and, defeating all the powers of sin and death, rose victorious from the grave. By the power of his risen life and his outpoured Spirit he is reconciling rebels to himself. In grace he has embraced us and brought us home into his kingdom.

Father God, we thank you for King Jesus who gave himself for us that we might be brought back into the embrace of your family. Help us to celebrate Christ's victory, rejoice in his great love for us and to invite those still in rebellion to come to him and discover the delights of his grace.

Peter Misselbrook