Reminisces of Yesterday

“The heart is more deceitful than all else" (Jeremiah 17:9)

I was reminded yesterday how true that is.

Put on all of God's armor of God so that you will be able to stand firm against strategies and tricks of the Devil (e.g. Satan, the deceiver - Revelation 12:9) . For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but ... against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against the spiritual forces of evil. Stand firm then, putting on the breastplate of God's righteousness, [and] put on salvation as your helmet (Ephesians 6:11-17).

I was reminded yesterday why our hearts and minds must be protected.

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ (Colossians 2:8)

I was reminded yesterday that "human tradition" is to act on what I feel, and that the "basic principle of this world" is to do what I think is best for myself and others, whether or not it's true or what they would want.

I was reminded of these things yesterday as I learned of two tremendous struggles of grief for people I love and care about deeply. In both situations, Satan deceived and deluded the logic of one person into believing things that were not true and magnifying the things that were. As a result, their hearts were deceived, and they acted in ways that have brought about devastating sorrow and hurt to people they love.

Why else would a man leave his wife of nearly 22 years to be with a woman born the year they were married? As a result, his two teenage daughters (one a graduating senior), as well as his wife and multiple friends (including Darin and me), are left wondering who he truly is. And he seems to be wondering the same. His heart and mind are wandering about unprotected, and he has given in to believing that what he feels is most important.

Why else would a man chose to end his life prematurely? What seemed like rational, reasonable logic to him was taken and twisted by a deceiving Enemy who only seeks to kill, destroy and steal. And now his family and friends, people I love and care about, have had him stolen from them.

O God, act now in accordance with your word in the lives of these I love who are hurting so deeply right now. Heal their broken hearts and bind up their wounds, curing their pains and their sorrows (Psalm 147:3).