We Cannot Give Satan a Foothold!

Yesterday, before church, we learned of some terrible news. A local radio host (he is the nationally syndicated host of The Rick & Bubba Show, Rick Burgess) lost his two year old son, Bronner, in an accidental drowning. Burgess, who is a Christian, has reportedly given God the glory all through this past day and a half of grief. How can a man do that? How can someone lose a child and glorify God in the same moment? How can he say in the seconds following being told of this tragedy, "We cannot give Satan a foothold."? Only through the power of the Holy Spirit that is evident in a Christian's life. "We cannot give Satan a foothold."

Burgess was speaking at a Christian youth conference in Tennessee when he learned of the death of his son. He was doing something right. He was proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ at the time his son left this world. He could have looked at the heavens and asked God, "Why? Why? I was here preaching your Word, I was doing as you command us to do. Why would you take my son?" Instead, he said, "We cannot give Satan a foothold."

I am convicted this morning because while Rick was out preaching the gospel this weekend, I invited the enemy into my home. While Rick proclaimed the glory of God after the loss of his precious child, I allowed the enemy into my mind, exposing him to my children. While Rick was saying, "We cannot give the Satan a foothold.", I was unlocking the front door and inviting him into my living room. How did I do this, you may ask? My specifics are between me and God, but we all do it everyday. Anger, greed, gluttony, lust, envy, hatred, lying, idleness, apathy...you fill in the blank.

I have been humbled this morning. I have been convicted. I have asked forgiveness, but the consequence of my sin is still this yucky, heavy feeling that I am carrying around. My God has forgiven me, because His word says He will, but I am still saddened that I took a couple of steps back this weekend. I am tired of allowing Satan into my home! I am tired of allowing him to wreck my day, put strife between myself and my husband, distract me from those things which are so very important in my life!

God is soverign. He is in complete control. He was not caught by surprise by the death of Rick's baby boy. He allowed it to happen for His glory. Countless young people were touched at the conference where Rick had been teaching (including 300+ salvations!). Thousands upon thousands of people who tuned into The Rick and Bubba Show this morning heard the name of God being glorified. God has allowed and will allow good to emerge from this bad (Romans 8:28).

May I learn from the example of this man who has placed himself and his family into the hand of God. May I cherish this new day He has given me and not invite the enemy into my home. May I put live the promise in 1 Corinthians 10:13, "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it." May I not give Satan a foothold!