Encouragement for Today - Aug. 28, 2006
August 28, 2006
Encouragement for Today
Principle 3
God Did Not Make Monsters
Wendy Pope, Development Coordinator, Proverbs 31 Speaker Team Member
Key Verse:
Genesis 1:31,"God saw all that He had made, and it was very good." (NIV)
Devotion:
The concept of monsters did not become a part of our family until my son was old enough to imagine them. We don’t watch scary movies or read scary books. The closest thing to a monster in our home was loveable, furry old Groover or Elmo. Despite a concentrated effort of making no “monster” references or having any “monster talk”, somehow in my son’s mind, monsters became real. It became quite evident that we would have to draw the sword to slay the monster.
I tried to think of Scripture references that dealt with monsters, but came up empty-handed. Then the Holy Spirit led me to Genesis and today’s key verse. I began to paraphrase the verse to my son when he became afraid or even talked about monsters. He would quickly respond with a smile and say, “God did not make monsters because monsters aren’t good, right Mom?” I would agree and the conversation would end.. However, it would inevitably repeat itself later.
As I pondered the message I was teaching my son, I realized that I was wrong. God did create a monster. Well, that is not his technical name. He is known as the prince of this world, the father of lies, the evil one, the devil, and also referred to as a lion. Satan was once an angel and was part of God’s good creation, but he wanted to be God himself. He was thrown out of heaven and now makes it his mission to steal, kill and destroy our lives. I realized the “monster” was real and was a real threat to my children. The Spirit impressed upon my heart to pray for protection from the “monster” for my children.
I had been praying for my children for years, even before they were born, but this was a serious call to bow down and pray for protection from the devil and his schemes. God’s Word tells us in first Peter that the devil is prowling around looking for someone to devour. It frightened me to think of the possibility that one of my children could be the “someone” the devil finds. The enemy is crafty and wants nothing more than to destroy our families by using our children as pawns in his games.
I began to pray for my children in the following way:
- For God to send legions of angels with them everywhere, especially “secret places”.
- For them act cautiously and think clearly when choosing friends.
- For God to guard them when they make a wrong decision in choosing a friend.
- For His shadow to surround them to frighten evil away.
- For my children to be able to recognize evil and know God’s Word, and then use it to defend themselves.
We can’t take the evil one lightly. John
My Prayer for Today:
Lord I pray to you in your son's name for my children. I claim defeat on the enemy's attempts to capture the heart of my children and the children my children call friends. Give them the mind of Christ, as your Word promises, to make the right decisions. Protect them from the top of their heads to end of their toes. Let no harm come their way. Bring only that which you allow to lead them into a right relationship with you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Application Steps:
Write down the steps listed in today's devotion. Make a commitment to pray these requests over your children each night after they are asleep. Record any evidence you see of these requests being answered.
Reflection Points:
Do I know my children's friends and their families?
Do my children know that I am praying for them each night?
Do I pray with my children at times other than the dinner table?
Power Verses:
1 Corinthians 14:15, "So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind." (NIV)
1 John 5:19, "We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one." (NIV)
1 Peter 5:8, "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (NIV)
Additional Resources:
Spiritual Warfare and Praying for Your Kids, ETC Corner
The Five Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman
Hannah’s Hope by Karen Kingsbury
