263. How does God do this?
A. God restrains Satan ("breaks and hinders every evil plan and purpose").
Psalm 23:4-5 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of Death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
1 Peter 1:5 By God's power [you] are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 The Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.
B. God strengthens us with His Word so that we can endure the sufferings that will come.
Romans 8:28 We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.
2 Corinthians 12:9 My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.
1 Peter 2:20-21 But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps.
Note: "As His [God's] name must be hallowed and His kingdom come whether we pray or not, so also His will must be done and succeed. This is true even though the devil with all his followers raise a great riot, are angry and rage against it, and try to exterminate the Gospel completely. But for our sakes we must pray that, even against their fury, His will be done without hindrance among us also. We pray so that they may not be able to accomplish anything and that we may remain firm against all violence and persecution and submit to God's will" (LC III 68).
Read Genesis 50:15-21 and see how God hindered the evil will of Joseph's brothers; Job 1:1-2:6, how God refuses to let the devil destroy Job; and Acts 9:1-19, how, in accordance with God's will, Paul is converted.
Eventual commentary
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