~*~ When The Power Of Darkness Rides Master ~*~




"It is but an hour that is permitted for the triumph
of our adversary, a short time, a limited time. It
is their hour, which is appointed them, and in which
they are permitted to try their strength, that
omnipotence may be the more glorified in their
fall."

~ Matthew Henry ~


In Psalm 13:2, David cried out to the Lord - "...how
long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?"

In other words, how long shall he triumph in my
distress, please himself with my grief, laugh at
my misery, or exult to see me bowed down with care?

In Lamentations 1:5 & 9, the Prophet Jeremiah
described Judah's enemies as such - "Her adversaries
are the chief, her enemies prosper...for the enemy
hath magnified himself."

He was describing a time when the adversary became
the head, had dominion, or gained the advantage.
Hence, they trampled upon, triumphed over, and
insulted the people of God.

And finally, we read how the Lord Jesus Himself
depicted a time when the forces of evil were
allowed a temporary triumph in His case - "Then
Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains
of the temple, and the elders, which were come
to Him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with
swords and staves? When I was daily with you in
the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against
Me: but this is your hour, and the power of
darkness"

~ Luke 22:52-53 ~


Satan, the powers of darkness, and the rulers of
darkness in this world were permitted to do their
worst - to unleash their malice against the Living
Son of God. But they could have never proceeded
even a hair's breadth without the permission of
the Heavenly Father Who controls all.

Like your Master - the Lord Jesus - you may feel
as though the forces of evil have been loosed
against you or your family at this time. You may
have been crying out in your heart the very words
of David - "...how long shall mine enemy be exalted
over me?" In other words, when is my affliction
pain, suffering, distress, heartache, or trouble
going to come to an end? Why is everything going
wrong for me? Why can't I prosper or succeed like
other people? Why am I always under attack? Why am
I suffering so?

It may be that you are experiencing their "hour
and the power of darkness" at this time. God has
allowed evil a certain rule over your life. Your
enemies may be "chief" - be prospering or magnifying
themselves against you - but not for long. Things
will not always be this way. It is only for a time
an hour."

The Scriptures clearly depict inevitable conditions
to expect when the powers of darkness are at work.
They are as follows:

1. Lips Will Speak Lies Against You

Psalm 31:18 - "Let the lying lips be put to silence
which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously
against the righteous."

This is a time when you are vexed by the bold, impudent
wicked, scornful, and malicious words spoken against you
in order to do you a great mischief.

2. You Are Mocked For Your Faith In God When Answers Do
Not Come

Psalm 42:10 - "As with a sword in my bones, mine
enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me Where is thy God?"

All day long, the devil comes with his cruel mockeries
intended to discourage any hope in God that you might
have. His malicious taunts make you almost feel as
though you have been forsaken by the Lord Himself. His
words are so painful and cutting at times - they can
be likened to the breaking or crushing of your bones.

3. You Are Treated By Others As a Miserable Fool

Psalm 44:14 - "...a byword among the heathen..."
Psalm 123:3 - "Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy
upon us: for we are exceedingly filled with contempt.
Our soul is exceedingly filled with the scorning of
those that are at ease, and with the contempt of
the proud."

You have sunk so low that no one wants to be around
you any more. You are considered as something low-down
or sorry. You are despised, disdained, and treated in
the most contemptuous manner - especially by those who
are carnal...sensual...lifted up in rank...proud...
affluent...fashionable...self-complacent...living in
self-indulgence, luxury, and easy circumstances...as
well as disregarding God's laws.

4. You are Plunged Into Despair and Destitute Of
All Comfort

Psalm 143:3-4 - "For the enemy hath persecuted my
soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground
he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that
have been long dead. Therefore is my spirit
overwhelmed within me; my heart within me
is desolate."

Due to your various adverse circumstances, you
find yourself feeling crushed, beaten down, broken
into a thousand pieces, or trampled down into the
ground. You cannot find any comfort, cheerfulness
or hope for your distressed soul. You feel like
someone who has been buried alive. Any hope of
things ever being restored to a state or condition
of happiness, prosperity, life, and peace - as once
was - has simply vanished.

If any or all of the above are true, then the powers
of darkness are having a "heyday" in your life at this
moment. Father God has allowed it for your good and
His glory. However, things will not always be as they
are. You will come out of this.

- Take encouragement from God's Word for you today

Job 20:5 says - " That the triumphing of the wicked
is short..."
Micah 7:8-9 says - "Rejoice not against me, O mine
enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in
darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me...He will
bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold His
righteousness."
John 16:20 & 22 says - "Verily, verily, I say unto you
That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall
rejoice; and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow
shall be turned into joy...And ye now therefore have
sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall
".rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you
Romans 8:31, 35, & 37 says - "What shall we then say to
these things? If God be for us, who can be against
us?...Who shall separate us from the love of
Christ?...Nay, in all these things we are more than
conquerors through Him that loved us."

The day is coming when the power of darkness will
give way to the Light - none other than the Lord
Jesus Christ. After your warfare is accomplished
your triumph will come.

In the meantime, "be strong in the grace that is
in Christ Jesus" and "endure hardness, as a good
soldier of Jesus Christ.'

~ 2 Timothy 2:1 & 3 ~


And don't ever forget - it is but an "hour" that
the enemy has permission to attack. That is but
.a short time...a very limited time.

It's almost over!


May God Bless His Word.




_ Connie