The Man Who Smiles: Satan is Running Scared

Jorge got very maddening news the other day. A Prison worker came and took his picture and Jorge asked, "What is that for?" The worker replied, "I forgot to do it with your paperwork. I will try and get it with your paperwork, but now you may not go at the end of May and will have to wait till the end of June." My first response was a deep desire to go to that man and punch his lights out. Of course, I don't know how to throw a punch that would knock someone's lights out, so I guess it's just as well I will never see this guy. I wholeheartedly admit, that is not the proper Christian response either, but I am only human.

Why would something like this happen? Jorge has served his time. He isn't fighting being deported. He isn't a bad prisoner. Most importantly, he has served God faithfully this whole time in prison. Doing twenty years like he has, could have turned his heart against God. Instead, he praises God for all he does. So why would God allow this idiot to mess up Jorge getting sent home?

I think the answer is Satan is trembling in his boots at Jorge's release. Jorge has made such a hugh impact on the hearts and lives of the limited number of people he has contact with now. Imagine what impact Jorge can have Christ Kingdom when he is free to share his testimony to anyone? So ppppffffffttt Satan we are not going to let you divert us from God's plans for Jorge. For that matter, God isn't gong to let you win either. We are going to dwell in the shelter of the most high, so Satan, to quote Pat Benatar, "Hit me with your best shot." In fact I think this incident is his best shot and it is lame. He can not stop Jorge's release. We serve a mighty and powerful God who can work miracles, open prison doors, and who has wonderful plans for Jorge & I in Colombia. Jorge was freed from the oppression of his sins years ago, and that freedom is something no one can take away no matter where he is. Jorge is a free man in Spirit and will soon be in body.

I am standing on Psalms 91 1

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.^[a]
²I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”

³Surely he will save you
    from the fowler’s snare
    and from the deadly pestilence.
⁴He will cover you with his feathers,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
⁵You will not fear the terror of night,
    nor the arrow that flies by day,
⁶nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
    nor the plague that destroys at midday.
⁷A thousand may fall at your side,
    ten thousand at your right hand,
    but it will not come near you.
⁸You will only observe with your eyes
    and see the punishment of the wicked.

⁹If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
    and you make the Most High your dwelling,
¹⁰no harm will overtake you,
    no disaster will come near your tent.
¹¹For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways;
¹²they will lift you up in their hands,
    so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
¹³You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
    you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

¹⁴“Because he^[b] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
    I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
¹⁵He will call on me, and I will answer him;
    I will be with him in trouble,
    I will deliver him and honor him.
¹⁶With long life I will satisfy him
    and show him my salvation. ”

New International Version (NIV)