You Don't Belong Here

TITLE: You Don’t Belong Here
DATE:  January 20, 2019
TEXT:   James 4:7 (ESV) -7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. And
John 10:10 – “ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I (Jesus)came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

It could  happen. Not that it would happen a lot… but it could happen.

I’m referring to a case of mistaken identity. The story begins in Waterboro, Maine when a man came home and found a surprised stranger sitting in his home. Actually the man had done more than “sit” around the house. He had made himself at home… eating food out of the refrigerator; taking a shower; even borrowing some of the man’s clothes.

Now the supposedly surprised guest, his name is Derek Tarbox, apologized. He confessed he thought he was at his friend’s home. He apologized for the inconvenience, and then he asked the homeowner to take him to his friend’s home.

The homeowner agreed and dropped Derek off.

It was only when the homeowner returned that he saw

1. Derek had forced himself in through the backdoor;
2. he had ransacked the house and
3. stolen some items.

The homeowner called the police and found out that Derek had stolen two cars that day and crashed the second one in the woods.

He had walked to the home and concocted his great lie…and then he had the backbone to ask the unsuspecting homeowner to drive him  to the home of some relatives. When Mr. Tarbox was arrested he was still wearing the clothes he had borrowed

Now you have to stand n awe of the bravado, the impudence,  the audacity of Mr. Tarbox. As near as I can tell he had no problem inserting himself into just about any situation or any place.

Just like the devil.

Did you ever notice that when the devil approaches Eve in the Garden of Eden, He doesn’t seem at all embarrassed or out of place? He doesn't approach Eve and say, “Excuse me, ma’am, if you don’t mind, I’ve got a little matter I’d like to talk over with you.”

Nope, he just jumps in as if he owns the joint… as if he belongs.

And that’s the point. He doesn't own the place and he doesn’t belong. Like Mr. Tarbox, he s a thief and as Jesus says in John 10:10 – “ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.

So, what shall we do when the devil, or Mr. Tarbox shows up?

James 4 gives us the answer. We resist him. We say this is Jesus Christ territory. We tell him, he doesn't’ belong here. Just think of what this world would be like if Eve had done the to the snake.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, help us recognize Your voice and follow You. This we ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen

Today’s devotion was inspired by various articles, amongst which is the one written for FindLaw by Lisa M. Schaffer, Esq. on December 27, 2018  Those who wish may check out this link which was, at the time of writing, fully active: https://blogs.findlaw.com/legally_weird/2018/12/homeowner-tricked-into-giving-burglar-a-car-ride.html#more

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann, one of my long-ago confirmands. He is singing with three brothers. This song comes from the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html