1 Peter 1:5 “You, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” What a wonderful promise this is. When I look at the world and all of it’s allure, it has the appearance of everyone doing what they want. They also appear to be enjoying themselves. However, the scripture teaches otherwise. John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” It’s difficult to understand that we have a foe that hates us fully. Almost like a powerful, influencial person that we’ve offended. They are seeking revenge by all of their sophisticated means. They may cause certain people to dislike us. He can prompt some one to say something and we take it too personally. Fortunately, God is like the big, beloved football player that looks out for us. The devil will put temptations before us. We will struggle with these. I can recall feeling so discouraged by my continuous struggles. The beer commercials don’t show that part. They portray everyone having fun. In reality, there is much brokenness. Think of all the human vices: overeating, alcholol and substances, unbalanced relationships, gossip, workaholism, gambling, competitiveness, sex and porn, etcetera. These things create such misery. The devil will use these things to bring us shame. God isn’t worried about these things. He knows we’ll stumble. He doesn’t condemn us. Shame and condemnation are of the devil. God has His hand out. Not to swat us, but reaching out to us. The world is also described as hostile toward God. James 4:4 says, “You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God and the christian? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” 1 John 2:15-17 describes this more: “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.” The influences listed in 1 John (lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and the boastful pride of life) are alluring. Most seek these. However, emptiness awaits. God’s protection helps here. Some of this allure seeps into our philosophy. They form our motivations and responses. God Word goes in like a surgeon and cuts out the toxic parts. That is part of how He protects us. By reforming our thoughts. Romans 12:2 says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” The world wants to conform us, while God wants to transform us. In Job 1:10, the devil describes how God protects Job. “Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.” God protects David similarly (Psalm 3:3). He also protects us. As we submit to Him, His protection and blessing becomes greater. I love that the devil is complaining about how protected we are. He can’t get off a shot. Lord, thank You for Your protection. Help us to stay in it.