A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

THE DEVIL NEVER GIVES UP      

Matthew 12:43-45 “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.” 

Jesus knew the ways of demons. He not only knew how to cast them out of people, but also knew that they did not give up. He knew well the truth of Peter’s description of Satan prowling around seeking, as Peter wrote, “to devour.” (See 1 Peter 5:8)   

The fact that someone has been freed from Satan’s grasp does not mean they are “scot free.” There is no such thing as perpetual immunity from the Devil and His wicked allies. It may appear they have vacated their possession of your heart, but they are only looking for their next opportunity to re-enter. 

Jesus said in today’s devotional verses that they are looking for the time when the house is empty and waiting for a new tenant. The old tenant, the demon, is always ready and willing to move back in. This seems to indicate that in spite of having at one time battled Satan and His temptations and through the work of the Holy Spirit and the power of Jesus this wicked foe was expelled, there can come a time when the owner of the house has let down his guard, is no longer attending worship services, refraining from receiving the Lord’s Supper, ignores invitations to participate in Bible studies and abandons daily devotions. Such a life style presents a heart that is swept clean with its door open for Satan to easily enter and none of God’s protection is in place.   

God provides you with all you need for your faith and life to be protected. St. Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:10-17: “. . . be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” 

Prayer: Lord, provide me with protection from Satan and all of his wicked allies. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Great I Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;  
There is no shadow of turning with Thee.  
Thou changest not: Thy compassions, they fail not;  
As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be.  

Refrain: Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!   
Morning by morning new mercies I see;   
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;   
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me! 

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,  
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above  
Join with all nature in manifold witness  
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. Refrain: 

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,  
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;  
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,  
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! Refrain:  

Great Is Thy Faithfulness // LSB 809