Today is "All Saints Day" in church tradition, the annual celebration of those who have lived holy lives as models of faith. On this day we are to look even farther than Hubble can see, focusing on God's faithful across history.
In two years we'll be able to look up more easily. Today's New York Times reports that NASA will send the shuttle Discovery to repair the orbiting Hubble telescope in May of 2008. Three shuttle missions have taken place in the past 16 months, bolstering confidence that a Hubble mission is feasible. Now astronauts can replace aging batteries, gyroscopes, and other equipment on the telescope, extending its life to 2013.
Today is "All Saints Day" in church tradition, the annual celebration of those who have lived holy lives as models of faith. On this day we are to look even farther than Hubble can see, focusing on God's faithful across history. Hebrews 12:1 commends such reflection on those who serve as examples of godliness: "since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." When others run a course, we know that we can finish it as well.
The "saints" remembered on this day are men and women who have defeated the temptations of Satan and his demons. How do we join their number? As we saw yesterday, three steps are essential: receive Jesus as Savior and Lord; recognize temptation; and run to the Spirit for help. James 4:7-8 is God's promise: "Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you." Submit to God's Spirit--be filled and empowered every day by him--then resist the devil with his strength and help. When you're being attacked by temptation, take it immediately to the Spirit. Ask for his help, wisdom, and strength. And it will be yours.
Last, rescue others--all who belong to the enemy. When Jesus healed the demoniac in Mark 5, he then sent him to be used to heal others. To his family, and to the ten Gentile cities along the eastern edge of the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River. Jesus' commission to "tell" them uses the Greek word for "preach." He became their first missionary, preaching the gospel of God's love and power for their lives and souls.
You have been rescued from Satan, if Jesus is your Savior and Lord. Now go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). Be his ambassador, his living witness, to the lost people you see every day. Rescue them in the power of the Spirit. Tragically, the townspeople in Mark 5 cared more for their pigs than they did this man's redeemed soul. Don't put pigs before people, work before witness, status before souls. You have been rescued--rescue others. But from whom? Let's discuss the origins of Satan tomorrow.
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