“Therefore, we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us.” ~ I Thessalonians 2:18
REFERENCE:
At times, we find ourselves yearning to fulfill a mission, complete a project, visit a loved one, or serve God’s kingdom. Yet, these aspirations often remain unfulfilled, seemingly thwarted by unseen forces. These forces, the dark satanic powers, are relentless in their opposition to our every effort to please God. It is in these moments that we must rise up and fight back.
As anointed as the Apostle Paul was, these dark forces, personified in Satan, hindered him from doing what he was foremost in doing: visiting the churches he planted to build their faith. He tried hard to see them, but for some reason, it just never happened. He said, “Time and again, Satan hindered us.” That means it happened more than once; he must have felt frustrated.
One of the meanings of satan’s name is the opposer. To oppose is to disapprove of and attempt to prevent something from happening, especially by argument. It is to be against, object to, be hostile to, resist, disagree with, take a stand against, and fight against a person or his purpose. To hinder is to create difficulties for (someone or something), resulting in delay or obstruction. Do you feel a fight rising within you as you read the definitions above? You should.
Satan cannot be reasoned with; tears do not move him, and he is not known to pity anybody because they are in a sorry state, helpless, orphaned, or penniless; he will resist every attempt you make towards making your life better. The prodigal son got money to start in life but was soon reduced to penury. When Zacchaeus came out to see Jesus, a crowd would not allow him. Jesus’ boat almost capsized before reaching the madman. Satan is fighting!
You must learn to fight back to achieve your purpose, mission, or goals. Ask God to strengthen your hands for battle because you will need to run through demonic troops and scale walls of opposition to achieve your goals. Be resolved to never back down; ask God for courage and go into the place of prayer. Make declarations, bind satan, and command him to flee. Don’t let satan hinder you time and again from laying hold of what God has promised you. Fight back!
PHOTO QUOTE
ADDITIONAL TEXTS:
James 4:7, Psalm 144:1, and Psalm 18:28-29
PRAYER:
+ I take my stand, resist satan, and demolish every wall of hindrance in my path to success.
+ I declare that I will accomplish every mission/assignment God has given me.
+ Father, train me to fight and not to be a weakling. I will outlast satan and win him any time and every time, in Jesus’ name.
