Devil's Devices

“God looked down from heaven upon the children of men… there is none that doeth good, no, not one” (Psalm 53:2,3).  “Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?” (Proverbs 20:9).  “Ye ought rather to forgive… and comfort… I beseech you that ye would confirm your love… lest Satan should get an advantage of us:  for we are not ignorant of his devices… Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:7-14).

Is there someone who offends?

The devil says:  Forgive him not.

Is there comfort mercy lends?

The devil would forbid that thought.

Is there someone who has failed?

The devil says:  Deny him love.

See how Satan has prevailed

When we forget to look above!

How can we so soon forget

That we are debtors to God’s grace?

God looks down and has not yet

Found one who’s sinless in this place.

Who can say his heart is clean

And never was by sin defiled?

God examines and has seen

That such a person is beguiled.

Let us now be done at last

With these devices Satan uses.

Let us now release the past

To hold the triumph God now chooses.

Lord, we thank You for the joy

Of triumph over Satan’s power,

Poised to steal, kill, destroy,

And like a lion, to devour.

Thus we turn from his seduction

To trust You, Lord, and You alone,

Giving thanks for Your instruction

And for the grace You give Your own.