PRE-398-398. Devil, You Cant Walk on Me Anymore
398. Devil, You Cant Walk on Me Anymore
Devil, You Can't Walk on Me Anymore
by David Wilkerson
April 19, 2004
[May 19, 1931 '96 April 27, 2011]
In Isa_51:1-23, the Lord delivers a powerful message to all who pursue righteousness. He declares, '93Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord'94 (Isa_51:1). A few verses later, he again calls to those '93that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law'94 (51:7).
When Isaiah delivered this message, his immediate audience was Israel. Yet God also dir ects this call to every devoted believer today. It'92s a word meant not just for natural Israel, but for all who comprise the Israel of faith. He'92s speaking to everyone who would pursue Jesus with a greater passion. And in these two brief verses, he tells us, '93I have a message here for you in particular.'94
The Lord begins by addressing his hearers as '93thou afflicted, and drunken, but not with wine'94 (51:21). At the time Isaiah prophesied, Israel was enslaved by Babylon. God wanted his precious people to know he recognized their plight. Likewise today, he'92s addressing every Christian who has become captive to some form of bondage. It doesn'92t matter whether this bondage is mental, physical or spiritual. God'92s eye is on every saint who staggers under the weight of an awful burden. And he gives them this word:
'93Don'92t think for a moment this weight has come upon you as a result of sin. You'92re under a direct attack from Satan. The enemy of your soul has accused and tormented you. So now, like a person who'92s drunk on wine, you'92re woozy from the effect. You'92ve been blind-sided by the devil, and you think you'92ve caused it. But you have to listen to me now. I want your ear, because I have a word to speak to you.'94
Maybe right now you'92re enduring a dark night of the soul. Perhaps you'92re sitting on an ash heap of perceived failure. Or, you'92re weighed down by a band of sinful chains hanging around your neck. You'92ve worn it for so long now, you'92ve sunk into despair. You'92ve laid aside the robe of righteousness Jesus gave you, because you feel unworthy to wear it. You'92re simply too depressed to move on in faith.
I tell you, God has a message just for you. And he'92s asking you to listen with full attention: '93Therefore hear now this'85Thus saith thy Lord the Lord, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling'85But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee'94 (51:21-23).
The Lord is saying, in other words: '93I'92m here to plead your cause, to intervene for you. And I make you this promise: I will take from you the cup of fear that'92s plaguing your life. And I'92ll place it in the hands of those who oppress you. I'92ve had it with every demon or person who has caused your affliction. I won'92t allow their harassment to continue. I'92m telling you right now, it'92s all over for your oppressors.'94 He has directed his fury at those '93which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over'94 (51:23).
Yet the Lord continues by saying, '93Thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over'94 (51:23). Do you see the picture he'92s describing? He'92s saying, '93Yes, I'92ve come to deliver you. But I also have to point out your part in this. The truth is, you'92ve allowed the devil to have his way with you.
'93At first, Satan overwhelmed you with his tactics. But instead of resisting him with my promises, you'92ve bowed and scraped to him. You'92ve willingly laid down your body in fear, on the streets of despair. And you'92ve subjected yourself to his devilish indignities. You let him rub your face in the dust. You let him walk all over you. You'92re totally intimidated by his principalities and powers.'94
1. God sees sincere, devoted saints being trampled underfoot by Satan.
Many dedicated servants today are bearing burdens they shouldn'92t bear. They'92re being beaten down by fear and discouragement. How does the Lord react to this? He asks, '93What have I here, saith the Lord, that my people is taken away for nought? They that rule over them make them to howl'85and my name continually every day is blasphemed'94 (Isa_52:5).
God is indignant at what'92s happening. He'92s saying, '93What am I seeing here? Why are my people being robbed and humiliated so easily? Satan is taking them down at will, ruling over them, harassing them, making them cry and howl. And they'92re giving him no resistance. This blasphemes my name, my majesty, my power.'94
In his amazement, God reminds his bowed-down people, '93My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth'94 (51:5). He'92s saying, '93I'92ve already spoken the word of your deliverance. I decreed it in my covenant promises. I have stretched forth my mighty arm, to take you out of your wilderness experience. So, why don'92t you claim what I'92ve decreed? Why don'92t you walk in the light of my freedom, joy and peace?'94
God then promises, '93The Lord shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody'94 (51:3). He states, '93I'92m going to bring you comfort. Right now, all you can see is failure in every area of your life. But that'92s about to change. I'92m going to turn your wilderness into an Eden-like garden. You'92re about to enter my refreshing glade of joy and gladness.'94
These aren'92t empty, foolish promises. They'92re spoken to us by Almighty God, who reigns over all. His thoughts about his people are good, not about ruin and failure. He loves us, and he'92s set on delivering us from all fear and depression. But the Lord also wants to show us how we came to such a low condition. He points out, '93You'92ve bowed down to the devil. You'92ve willingly laid your body on the ground before him. And you'92ve allowed him to tramp all over you.'94
Right now, multitudes of pastors, evangelists and godly lay people live under a cloud of fear. Why? They'92ve given Satan access to freely plunder them with doubt. Week after week, they live with thoughts of quitting the ministry. They question the Lord. They wonder about his guidance. They live without any hope of a future.
And God is incredulous at it all. He says, '93I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass?'94 (51:12). He says, '93Why do you fear what people can do to you? Their gossip and threats can'92t harm you. Satan is using your fear to bring you under bondage. Yet I'92ve promised you deliverance. Who are you to listen to his lies, and not my Word?'94
The Lord then adds, '93Fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings'94 (51:7). In other words: '93Why do you measure yourself by others'92 concepts of success or failure? I'92ve given you promises from eternity. But you'92ve brought reproach upon yourself. You'92ve laid down on the ground as a stepping stone for the enemy.'94
Finally, God says, '93[Thou] hast feared continually every day'94 (51:13). He'92s describing believers who fall prey to morbid introspection. David admitted, '93I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart'94 (Psa_38:8). David knew he only added to his turmoil by his own fearful churning.
So, where does your fear come from? Why are you so deeply discouraged? Do you dwell on your low condition endlessly?
2. God also sees multitudes of bruised and broken shepherds
Scores of once-zealous pastors have left the ministry. And many others are on the brink of quitting. They haven'92t seen a good day in months. Their wives watch as they churn in turmoil and distress, and they become weighed down also. They'92re afraid their husbands will lose their jobs, their homes, their stability. Some are even afraid their spouse will give up on life. So they fight their own battles of discouragement, alone and in despair.
Many pastors are discouraged because they see so little fruit from their labors. Not long ago, a dear pastor called me, discouraged. He asked, '93What do you do when you'92ve done all you know how to do as a pastor, but you see so little response? You pray diligently, you fast, you walk in the righteousness of Christ. You'92re obedient and trusting, and you preach an anointed word. Yet people leave the church with no explanation. Or worse, they turn on you.
'93Tell me, what do you do when the promise God gave you doesn'92t come to pass? What happens after years of ministering to a body of people, and some start to fall away from the faith? You do everything you'92ve learned from years of serving God. But nothing turns out right.'94
I spoke with a Lutheran preacher who meets regularly with other pastors from his city. These are godly men from various denominations who encourage one another in their ministries. During the first few years, their numbers grew. But over the past year, the group began to dwindle. Now, as fewer and fewer ministers show up, discouragement has crept in. Soon the pastors confided in one another, '93I'92m working harder than ever, but I see so little growth. People are even turning away. What can I do?'94
Now the Lutheran pastor has become discouraged also. His last words to me were, '93Please, pray for me, David. And pray for the hurting pastors in my city.'94
Our whole nation is in distress.
Newsweek magazine reports that 65 percent of Americans are having trouble sleeping. They wake up with a black cloud of despair hanging over them. Millions are now medicating themselves just to find a small bit of relief. Here in New York City, people are especially anxious and stressed out. There'92s a prevailing fear of bio-terrorism, of nuclear attack, of tunnels and bridges blowing up. People on Long Island are afraid the atomic plants there might be bombed.
Now more than ever, God'92s people need to hear a word from him. And in this time of distress, our Lord has given us an uncompromising word: '93[Thou] hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy'85where is the fury of the oppressor?'94 (Isa_51:13).
God is demanding of us, '93Why do you fear the enemy? What can he possibly do to you, when I have promised you a future?'94 Beloved, there is no scenario, no possible situation, wherein the devil can destroy us. You see, Jesus Christ has promised heaven to those walking in faith. When we die, we instantly go straight to his side. Therefore, we can'92t be destroyed by the devil; we merely pass from death to life. We'92re given a new body. And we spend eternity in glory with our Lord.
Of all people, God'92s saints should be shining examples of what it means to live in peace in these fearful days. We'92re to be at rest in spite of our circumstances, offering this testimony to the world: '93The peace you see in me is beyond this world'92s understanding. It'92s all because I'92ve put my life in Jesus'92 hands. It doesn'92t matter what happens to me. Live or die, I'92m the Lord'92s for all eternity.'94
God has also given us an ironclad promise for life on this earth. He says that when our enemy attempts to walk over us, '93My people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I'94 (52:6). In other words, God says, '93When you'92re in your darkest trial, I will come and speak a word to you. You'92ll hear me say, '91It is I, Jesus, your Savior. Don'92t be afraid.'94
Christ fulfilled this promise to the very letter in Mat_14:1-36. The disciples were on a boat in an awful storm, being tossed about by torrents of wind and waves. Suddenly, the men saw Jesus walking toward them on the water. Scripture says, '93When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear'94 (Mat_14:26). What did Jesus do in that fearful moment? '93Straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid'94 (14:27).
I'92ve wondered why Jesus used these particular words, '93Be of good cheer.'94 Why would he say this to men who thought they were about to die?
The word cheer means to be relieved, happy, released from fear. And here, in the disciples'92 time of distress, Jesus tied the word to his identity. Remember, these men knew him personally. And he expected them to act on his word by faith. He was saying, '93The Father has promised I'92ll come to you in your storm. It is written, '91They shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I'94 (Isa_52:6). Now I'92ve come to you in your storm. It'92s me, Jesus, here with you in the midst of it all. So, cheer up.'94 Likewise, our Savior expects the same faith reaction from us, in our distressing times.
Next, God puts his finger on the true cause of his people'92s fear and discontent: '93Forgettest the Lord thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth'94 (Isa_51:13). He says, '93You'92ve forgotten me in your crisis. You'92ve let your circumstances rob you of all memory of who I am. I'92m the Creator of the universe, possessing all power and majesty. I'92m able to deliver you at any moment. Yet you'92ve completely forgotten this.'94
The Lord then points out, '93You'92ve become a captive to your own fear, bound by needless doubts. Instead of running to my Word, you struggle against your bonds.'94 '93The captive exile hasteneth that he may be loosed, and that he should not die in the pit, nor that his bread should fail'94 (51:14). Simply put, we'92ve become preoccupied with our circumstances. And we'92ve failed to remember his Word to us: '93That bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!'94 (52:7).
The Lord'92s message here couldn'92t be clearer: '93You don'92t see me as a God who can work out your circumstances. You'92re so anxious to be released from your problems, you'92ve turned away from my glory and power. Instead, you struggle on, crying, '91God, get me out of this.'92 Yet all you need is a glimpse of my majesty.'94
Think about it: our Lord has never once failed his people. He urges us, '93Look back at my children'92s history, in both Testaments. I'92ve delivered them time after time, in every instance. I'92ve never allowed the enemy to destroy those who trust me.
'93Now look at your own history with me. Have I ever failed to deliver you? Have you ever been without my provision? My servant David testified, '91I'92m old and gray, and I have yet to see God'92s people begging for bread.'92 I am a loving Father. And I will always take care of your needs.'94
God commands his people to wake up and see their bowed-down condition.
'93Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments'85 Shake thyself from the dust'94 (Isa_52:1-2). God calls out to his bowed-down servants, '93Get up and shake off the dust. I am your Lord. And you are still my righteous ones.
'93You'92ve allowed the enemy to convince you you'92re filthy and unclean. He says you have no right to put on Christ'92s garment of righteousness. But I command you to rise up, put that garment back on, and take your rightful seat to reign with him. You don'92t have to let Satan walk on you anymore. My Word has made you righteous.'94
How can believers today wake up to our condition and shake off the dust? What is required for us to no longer bow before the enemy? David answers, '93All my springs are in thee'94 (Psa_87:7). He'92s saying, '93All my satisfaction is found in you, Lord. You alone are the wellspring of my fulfillment. You'92re all I need to be complete, joyful, happy and at peace.'94
I came to the same conclusion long ago. Nothing satisfies my soul'92s longings outside of Jesus. Nothing on this earth can touch what I have in him: not family, not friends, not successes in ministry. You can take all the books I'92ve written, all the works I'92ve established, all the millions who'92ve been touched through our outreaches, even my love of preaching. You can take all of it away, because none of it compares to the joy of intimacy with Christ.
Just give me a greater revelation of Christ. Let me draw ever closer to him. Let me understand his ways better. That'92s what makes my soul cry, '93Hallelujah!'94 and my heart leap for joy. My thirst is quenched only when I drink from his well.
Jesus is also the reason I no longer care whether my circumstances change. I'92m satisfied that my Lord has revealed something of himself to me. And the grace he provides is equal to any circumstance I may endure.
Christ himself experienced such powerful grace during his walk on earth. As he faced the cross, he prayed in agony three times, '93Father, let this cup pass from me.'94 The third time he prayed, an angel came and ministered to him. At that point, Jesus received strength to face the events ahead. And according to Scripture, he prayed even more earnestly. Yet, the Bible says Jesus'92 agony remained.
I find this amazing. Even after being strengthened by the Father himself, Jesus still carried his agony. Apparently, this only made him more determined to pray. You may say, '93The Father didn'92t deliver Jesus after all.'94 Yes, he did. The strength that Christ received from heaven delivered him through his trial. Indeed, it carried him all the way to the cross, and beyond it to glory.
We all know Jesus is our example. And here he provides a clear illustration for us, as he prays in essence, '93Father, I admit I want deliverance. Yet I don'92t hasten to be loosed from this trial. I don'92t wrestle with my circumstances. I only want to know you in my crisis. Not my will, but yours be done.'94
I thank God for the many victories and successes I'92ve enjoyed during my fifty years in ministry. But I have to confess as Jacob did, '93Few and evil have the days of the years of my life been'94 (Gen_47:9). The Hebrew word for evil here means adversity, distress, affliction, calamity, trouble, sadness, heavy-heartedness. In short, I know what it'92s like to be a captive to fear and despair. At times, when I was a young pastor, I felt like quitting the ministry. I'92ve been so low, the devil has made me his stepping stone. And many nights I'92ve screamed at God, '93Where are you?'94
Yet I also identify with Jeremiah. He stated, '93I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay'94 (Jer_20:9). Only when I came to my wits'92 end did I stop caring whether God would change my circumstances. That'92s when he brought me into his rest, with no more bowing down.
For most Christians, conditions aren'92t going to change overnight.
You may receive a touch from God in church and go home encouraged. But once the feeling wears off, you realize your circumstances are the same. What'92s the solution, you ask? Any change that comes must happen in us, not in our situation. We have to be so given to Jesus, he becomes our all, our sole source of fulfillment.
A pastor told me a beautiful story regarding this. A young woman in his church had been born with an extreme facial disfigurement. All through her teen years, she dreamed of meeting a man who would love her despite her handicap. Her desire continued into her twenties, and she longed to have a child as well. Through those years, she faithfully brought her request before the Lord, hoping he would answer.
Not long ago, the young woman approached the pastor. She handed him a bar of soap and a baby rattle. She said, '93Pastor, I need you to take these things off my hands. They have to do with a dream I'92ve carried since I was a little girl.
'93Every time my father washed up, he asked me, '91Honey, go get me some soap.'92 I loved getting it for him. It made me feel needed and wanted by him. As I grew older, I always hoped a husband would say that to me, too. Then I could respond in love, as I did with my dad. As for the baby rattle, it reminds me of my desire to have a child.
'93I want you to know, I don'92t need these anymore. I'92ve laid those dreams down. And I'92ve traded them in for a better one. You see, I'92m at peace with my condition. I know it will never change. So I'92ve surrendered it to the Lord. Now Jesus totally fills my life. He has become my source of joy. I'92ve found in him what no husband could give me. He took my old dreams and gave me himself.
'93The Lord is my husband. And the kids you see flocking to me in church are the children he'92s given me. I'92ve been blessed without measure. So, please, take these symbols for me. I'92ve finally been freed from their weight.'94
The pastor says all of this woman'92s discouragement is gone now. She couldn'92t be happier. And she has become the most loving person in his church.
Then, with tender words, the pastor confessed that he also was changing. '93I'92ve surrendered my dream of having a large church,'94 he said. '93My congregation wasn'92t growing as I thought it should. I wanted to see fruit from my ministry. That desire caused me to strive to succeed in others'92 eyes.
'93But I only want one thing now. And that is, a church that loves. I want to shepherd people who care for each other, a loving family of believers. It doesn'92t matter how large or small we are. When I stand before the Lord, I want to know I taught my people to love as Jesus loves.'94 This man has come into God'92s rest.
Even our godliest dreams can become foolish if we don'92t trade them for Christ. If our Lord wants such things for us, he'92ll bring them to pass. Meanwhile, we are to live in his peace. He'92s reminding you, right now: '93I have commanded your deliverance. Now, rise up from the dust. The enemy can'92t walk on you anymore. I have empowered you."
By: David Wilkerson