None of These Things Move Me
The devil's attacks are a sign of God's presence and work in our lives, and we can find power and growth by standing firm in our faith and resisting Satan's attacks.
A.B. Simpson emphasizes that the presence of spiritual opposition often signifies God's work in our lives, echoing Charles H. Spurgeon's insight that the devil's growl can be a sign of God's presence. He illustrates this with the example of David, who faced immediate challenges from the Philistines upon his anointing, suggesting that such trials are tokens of salvation and opportunities for greater blessings. Simpson encourages believers to view resistance as a means of developing spiritual power, much like how electricity is generated through resistance. Ultimately, he reassures that even the adversities brought by Satan can serve as instruments of God's blessing.
Text
The best evidence of God's presence is the devil's growl. So once wrote Charles H. Spurgeon in The Sword and the Trowel. That little sentence has helped many a tried and tired child of God to stand fast and even rejoice under the fiercest attacks of the foe. We read in the book of Second Samuel that the moment David was crowned at Hebron, "All the Philistines came up to seek David. And the moment we get anything from the Lord worth contending for, the devil comes to seek us. When the enemy meets us at the threshold of any great work for God, let us accept it as "a token of salvation" and claim double blessing, victory and power. Power is developed by resistance.
The cannon carries twice as far because the exploding power has to find its way through resistance.
In the powerhouse, electricity is produced by the magnetic resistance of the revolving armature. Even so we shall find some day that Satan has been one of God's agencies of blessing.
Sermon Outline
- The Devil's Growl as Evidence of God's Presence
- The Power of Resistance
- Examples of resistance in nature and technology
- Applying the principle of resistance to our spiritual lives
Key Quotes
“The best evidence of God's presence is the devil's growl.” — A.B. Simpson
“Power is developed by resistance.” — A.B. Simpson
“Even so we shall find some day that Satan has been one of God's agencies of blessing.” — A.B. Simpson
Application Points
- When faced with Satan's attacks, stand firm in your faith and recognize it as a sign of God's work in your life.
- Apply the principle of resistance to your spiritual life by standing firm in the face of opposition.
- Claim double blessing and victory by accepting Satan's attacks as a token of salvation.