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TITLE: Bombarded
DATE: April 14, 2019 TEXT: James 1: 12-15 – ESV - Happy are those who remain faithful under trials, because when they succeed in passing such a test, they will receive as their reward the life which God has promised to those who love him. If we are tempted by such trials, we must not say, “This temptation comes from God.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. But we are tempted when we are drawn away and trapped by our own evil desires. Then our evil desires conceive and give birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. (James 1:12-15) I can remember the morning, years ago, when I woke up and our house was covered in toilet paper, henceforth referred to as “TP.” To be honest, I was not totally pleased by the completeness of the transformation which had been done by person or persons unknown. That was when my girls, who were in high school at the time, informed me that this was an honor, a compliment. They further explained, “People don’t generally TP the homes of someone they hate, Dad, they TP the abodes of those whom they like or respect.” They concluded by letting me know that sometimes TP-ing the home of a young lady might be the way a shy-guy might let her know he is interested. So”, I said, “having my home TP-ed is a good thing?” My girls said, “It’s a good thing.” A week later my home was TP-ed a second time. I asked my girls, “Still a good thing?”: “Still a great thing”, they replied. When they TP’d the place for three times in as many weeks I decided to do two things”
All of which is my way of saying, I can understand the plight and frustration of Walt Gilmore and his family who live in Suburban Salt Lake City. Since last August they have been the target of some individual who is acting like a stalker. This is what happens. Each day, 20-or-more people show up at the Gilmore household. Tradesmen, sales people, professional workers, counselors all show up because they thought the Gilmores had requested their services. The police have answered more than 80 calls made by what they assumed was a family member. Only when they got to the Gilmore home, they found they were victims of a crank call made by the stalker. Did it ever occur to you that the devil does much the same thing… uses much the same strategy. He hits us with not one or two temptations… no, he rolls out a whole battery of tests to win us away from our Savior; all kinds of temptations to encourage us to take our eyes off the Redeemer. Then, when and if we do that, he has begun the process of wooing us away from the Lord more permanently. James anticipated just this kind of onslaught by the forces of evil. That is why He reminded us that the Holy Spirit encourages us to remain faithful under trials. To that end he offers up some encouragement. He says, ”when we pass the test we will receive the rewards of life which God has promised those who love Him. THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, keep our eyes set on Your eternal rewards, not the devil’s fleeting temptations. This I ask in the Name of our Redeemer Who has given His life to give us those rewards. Amen. Today’s devotion was inspired by various articles, amongst which is the one written by the Editors of Newser on March 27, 2019. Those who wish may check out this link which was, at the time of writing, fully active: http://www.newser.com/story/273039/extreme-stalker-has-familys-home-under-siege.html he music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html
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