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“Satan hindered us.”

Why? To keep us from receiving the blessing.

Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.

- 1Thessalonians 2:18
(Words of Paul, New Testament, KJV Bible)

For we wanted to come to you (I, Paul, in fact tried again and again)27 but Satan thwarted us.

(Same verse, NET Bible)

No doubt there are literally hundreds of examples any one of us can give to show the interference of evil in our lives. Just when you think things are going well, something happens to rock your world.

Just before I moved to the town I have now returned to, my Mother said that she felt there was a cloud over this town. I had recently read a devotional by Spurgeon (see below) which prompted me to reply with the thought that wherever there is a moving of the Holy Spirit, there will also be a moving of evil - the battle is on.

A respected Bible teacher friend of mine once said, If you aren’t having any problems, then you aren’t doing anything great. Only those who can make a positive difference will suffer through many trials and temptations.

I believe this is true. One has to look no further than our politicians to see how they have given in to temptations which have destroyed their careers as public servants. If only they could understand the workings of evil against the workings of love.

Spurgeon’s devotional:

If we toil in the field, he seeks to break the ploughshare; if we build the wall, he labours to cast down the stones; if we would serve God in suffering or in conflict - everywhere Satan hinders us.

You may be congratulating yourself, “I have hitherto walked consistently; no man can challenge my integrity.” Beware of boasting, for your virtue will yet be tried; Satan will direct his engines against that very virtue for which you are the most famous.

If you have been hitherto a firm believer, your faith will ere long be attacked; if you have been meek as Moses, expect to be tempted to speak unadvisedly with your lips.

The birds will peck at your ripest fruit, and the wild boar will dash his tusks at your choicest vines.

Satan is sure to hinder us when we are earnest in prayer. He checks our importunity, and weakens our faith in order that, if possible, we may miss the blessing.

Nor is Satan less vigilant in obstructing Christian effort.

There was never a revival of religion without a revival of his opposition.

As soon as Ezra and Nehemiah begin to labour, Sanballat and Tobiah are stirred up to hinder them.

What then?

We are not alarmed because Satan hindereth us, for it is a proof that we are on the Lord’s side, and are doing the Lord’s work, and in his strength we shall win the victory, and triumph over our adversary.

END of Spurgeon’s devotional.