“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” John 10:10While scrubbing some dirty sinks at my house that were way overdue for some thorough cleaning, I had to break out the steel wool to really get the job done right. My momma warned me when I was younger that steel wool can scratch a fine porcelain or tile surface, and so I should be careful only to use it when the dirt and grime could be removed no other way.
There was no other way.
As I scrubbed those dirty sinks, I was struck by the fact that my life has often been like them. My life at times has had such stubborn sin it required the steel wool. And, though it may have scratched me up a bit to get me clean, it was much better than staying dirty and keeping Jesus inside me completely unrecognizable.
Do you know what I mean?
It occurred to me how loving and kind our Heavenly Father is in taking the steel wool to us, that He might keep the devil from stealing us—the wool of His pasture.
God doesn't like thieves—whether they are inside or outside His pasture. And, He holds the thieves accountable. In the Holy Bible, even a man who steals to satisfy his hunger, if he is caught, must repay sevenfold (Proverbs 6:31). Imagine what God will do to the devil and demons for just trying to steal His own.
It is comforting to know that the devil can't take us from God's hand. No one can. We know this because God's Word tells us so in John 10:27-29, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand."
Scripture also tells us, "So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7).
While we should never resist the steel wool applied to the dirtiest parts of our heart and life, it is comforting to know that no one ever can or ever will steal the wool from God's pasture.
Are you one of His sheep?
Goodnight, Runners.
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