DAY 239
Faith in the Midst of a Pandemic
A series of daily reflections for people of faith
by Rev. Robert Bayley, Interim Pastor
Patuxent Presbyterian Church, California, Maryland
pastorrobert@paxpres.org
Week Thirty-five Sunday 8 November 2020
The Works of the Devil
O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. - The Book of Common Prayer: For the Sunday closest to 9 November.
“No one believes in the devil or in demons today,” he said: “That’s superstitious belief from the Middle Ages and before.” He was the professor of church history and Reformation studies in seminary, responding to my submitted topic for my term paper in the class on Calvin’s Institutes, “The Role of Satan in Calvin’s Theology.” “Maybe some don’t believe in the devil or demons today,” I countered, “but Calvin did, and I would like to explore what he had to say about the subject.” With that he grudgingly gave permission, as he knew Satan or the devil could be found throughout Calvin’s writings. Bottom line? The devil is real and God is Sovereign.
Some churches focus too much on the powers of darkness, while others are dismissive of the whole idea and basically ignore the same. Both extremes are problematic. When Satan or demons are responsible for all evil, wrong, sickness and sin, then we lose the necessity of our ownership of our own context. When darkness is denied we are left to deal with its machinations defenseless and deluded. As with so much in life, balance is the order of the day.
Todays’ prayer paraphrases the King James Version in its opening line: “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8. That purpose is expanded in Hebrews 2:14-15: “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.”
Reflective question: Are there any ‘works of the devil’ in your life you need to renounce?
Reflective Scripture: James 4:7 – “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Reflective hymn: “A Mighty Fortress is our God” verse 3 – Martin Luther
And though this world with devils filled should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us.
The Prince of Darkness grim we tremble not for him; his rage we can endure,
For lo! His doom is sure, one little word shall fell him.
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