Did you know there is one way I think we should be more like the devil? Seriously. I know we always talk about not being like him, but there is one way I think we should and that’s his sense of urgency.
The other day I was spending some time with God in His Word when I came across this one verse. It was Revelation 12, which I believe is one of the places in Revelation we are seeing a glimpse into history instead of the future. It’s a vivid description of the war that happened in Heaven before satan was thrown down to the earth along with 1/3 of all the angels. As I was reading, this one verse stood out.
Revelation 12:12 says Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.”
A few verses later we read that the devil has turned his attention to trying to take out those who hold strong to their testimony in Jesus. As I read that section I was convicted. Do I live with the same sense of urgency that the devil does? Here he is, thrown out of Heaven, hell bent on taking out Jesus by taking out His followers and it says he is “filled with fury because he knows that his time is short.” Wow!
Satan is filled with fury, but I want to be filled with faith because my time is short. I want to be filled with passion because my time is short. I want to be filled with praise because my time is short. I want to be filled with focus because my time is short. I want to be filled with love, compassion, mercy, generosity, commitment, growth and the list goes on, because my time is short.
Psalm 90:12 prays Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.
Sometimes I think we don’t even have the same sense that the devil has. He knows his time is short but we live as if we have all the time in the world. Where is our urgency to give, love and serve like there’s no tomorrow. Our enemy is fully focused on his mission. Are we? I want to have the same urgency as the devil has.