How Satan Hinders!
"Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I,
Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us."
1 Thessalonians 2: 18
In Paul’s day, Thessalonica boasted a population of more than one
hundred thousand. It was a harbor and a crossroad for land routes.
Paul poured himself starting a church there, but he was prematurely
driven away by a combined force of Jewish critics and government
officials (Acts 17:5-9).
The apostle had been unable to retrace his steps and gain reentry
to the city. Young believers at Thessalonica had questions, but
Paul had to resort to writing epistles instead of making personal
visits.
He blamed Satan! Commentator Knute Larson
wrote, “Paul viewed anything which opposed
the work of Christ as spiritual
warfare.”
What's hindering the advance of the Gospel in your life or in your
church or your community? Behind all the opposition is the hand
of Satan. We can acknowledge Satan’s interference, but let’s keep
our eyes on Christ and maintain the fight. Paul’s epistles have
encouraged believers for nearly two thousand years.
Satan thought he was silencing Paul, but he only
gave the apostle a more lasting voice. Don’t be
bullied by the devil. We’re on the winning side.
"If God were not my friend, Satan
would not be so much my enemy."
Thomas Brooks
