Tomorrow I don’t have to speak. We’ve got a guest, Dr. Mark, who will be sharing about some of the things God is doing in the world today, especially in the Muslim world. I just spent the day with him and thoroughly enjoyed it. It reminded me of just how privileged we are that God calls us to live out our lives in community with other believers. We have so much to gain from one another.
Normally right now I’d be thinking and praying very hard about the service tomorrow. But tonight I am relaxed… sitting by the fire and taking it easy. I know that the service is in good hands. It’s a great feeling.
Of course, that relaxed attitude can also be a danger. I ought never to forget that each square inch of spiritual territory is fought over and that when it comes to Muslim teaching, that fact is especially true. Although Mark is a qualified brother who is well schooled in the spiritual disciplines, and although he has shared this message in multiple settings around the world, we have an enemy who does not want his message to reach our congregation. This enemy wants nothing more than to leave us misinformed and listless and hopeless in regard to the spread of Islam in our times. He would be delighted if we think about it as little as possible – and if we do think about it, he wants us to believe that there is nothing we can do about it.
I realized tonight that I am even succumbing to Satan’s devices by relaxing about tomorrow. I may not have to speak, but my responsibility to pray is just as great as ever. I ought to be as desperate for the message to touch our people as I would be if I were bringing that message myself. Unfortunately, I have often fallen prey to the danger of letting down my guard when I don’t feel the pressure to perform.
With that realization, I turn now to pray that God will break through the cloud of deception with which Satan tries to blind us and that he will put a fire in our hearts for Muslims around the world. Please grant it, oh Lord.
Steve Pecota - a Pastor in Seattle 