Computers (including the one on which I presently write) genuflect to Frances, acknowledging her as their Exalted Master. On the other hand, they sneer at me. “Ha! You think I’m going to do what you want me to do?! Ha!”
Some people, including my wife, seem to possess an intuitive knack for these devices that so fill and influence modern life. Regarding Frances, this is not to say that she hasn’t worked very hard to develop her knowledge and skill. She has, and I am abundantly blessed to have her with me as my own personal I.T. department. On literally hundreds of occasions through the years, I’ve needed to avail myself of her services as my desktops, laptops, and now, Chromebook, mock me as I attempt to perform the simplest of procedures. “Frances! I need your help!” I get the last laugh, of course, because I can literally (almost) see my computer tuck its tail between its legs as its aforementioned Exalted Master takes matters into her beautiful and talented hands.
Our spiritual enemies, concerning far more serious matters of life and eternity, mock us when we seek to address their challenges and assaults by our own means. We respond in such fashion to our own peril, in contrast to God’s faithful angels, who defer to Him when demonic entities seek to ply their nefarious trade:
“Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee” (Jude 1:9).
Many Bible students consider Michael to be the most powerful of God’s angels. Nevertheless, he recognizes the Lord as the source of his strength, particularly regarding confrontations with Satan. How much more must believers defer from the foolishness of seeking to face our spiritual challenges through our own insufficient auspices? “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might commands the Apostle Paul (Ephesians 6:10; emphasis added). God mightily enables us, and Paul also declares, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheth me” (Philippians 4:13). However, the power never becomes our own. We must avoid the devil’s error of believing the glory that flows within and through us originates in us (Ezekiel 28:17).
Frances, as she does in so many ways, provides a strikingly vivid example to me of how to deal with the spiritual challenges of life. I recognize her prowess in the matter of computers, while acknowledging my lack thereof. When trouble comes, therefore, I call her. Subsequently, she either shows me what to do, or she takes matters into her own hands (“Let me drive” is how she usually puts it). In similar manner, our Heavenly Father either enables us to face the battles of life by leading us in His wisdom and enabling, or He simply deals with the matters Himself. Either way, the power is of Him, through Him, and by Him…
“Call unto Me and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”
(Jeremiahs 33:3)
“We also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.”
(II Corinthians 13:4)
Weekly Memory Verse
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise: be thankful unto Him, and bless His name.
(Psalm 100:4)
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