Craig Clouston

 The Devil We Know

January 7

In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and he answered by setting me free.

Psalm 118:5

Doug and Cheryl had never been in this part of town. They ran a homeless shelter on the north side but had felt led to the east side tonight. It was an especially cold evening, and they’d come here to pass out blankets and coats.

Passing among the men and women huddled around fire barrels, they shared words of encouragement, speaking of God’s love and how He wanted to make a difference in their lives.

“Lady,” one man responded in anger, “if God loves everybody so much, then why are there so many homeless people? God doesn’t give a rip about us!” He turned his back on Cheryl and walked away.

“Please, sir,” she pleaded. “He does care. He sent us here to help you.”

He turned back momentarily, and in a trembling voice and with bitterness in his eyes, he said, “Lady, I don’t want your charity! And I don’t want God’s either!”

Doug tried to follow, hoping to reason with the man, but was cut off by one of the man’s friends. “He’s been here a long time, mister,” the man said. “He’s bitter about the past. You mean well, and we appreciate your kindness, but his memories outweigh your gift.”

Taking a blanket for himself, he said, “Give him time to see how others respond. Maybe someday he’ll figure out that God didn’t put him here.”

†

Sometimes we prefer the devil we know to the deliverance we don’t understand. Fear of the unknown can keep us from investigating our inner selves and keep us from finding out there is strength within that would fight to see ourselves set free.

One of the hardest lessons regarding free will is that God is no more to blame for our poor choices than He is responsible for the decisions we get right. He can only suggest. Then we are free to do as we please.

There is no forcing hope on someone who resents his or her circumstances yet refuses to change. Only when we give God permission to care can we overcome the devil we know.

Prayer

“Lord, sometimes I feel untrusting and alone. Help me see these chains of bondage for what they are: lies to keep me bound. Deliver me from Satan’s lies. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”