In the war between Israel and Hamas, who bears the brunt? The Palestinian Christians. Remember: Most Palestinians are Muslims. If a Muslim believes in Jesus as Saviour, they are summarily shunned by their families. 

So, they are actually the have-nots of the have-nots. Not only are they kicked out of their own families, but also bombed out of their country. I wonder if we realise how hard these people are suffering. 

If I lived in such circumstances, I wonder if I would keep my faith. How many questions do these people ask God every day? With how many unanswered questions do they go to bed every night? 

But you don’t need a war to question your faith. The devil torments people constantly. Things happen in your life, trauma strikes, and crises arrive at the front door unannounced and badly timed. 

Tears and salt in the wounds make you look for answers to all the questions, sometimes the wrong questions. We want to know why we must carry the load. Boldly we stand before God with hands on our hips, questioning His presence and asking why He’s not acting in our crisis. 

Some people’s faith is simply too weak to carry them through the crisis and they throw in the towel. No, if there is so much pain and suffering in the world, there can’t be a loving and all-powerful God. They turn their backs on God.  

We shouldn’t get too complacent and think it will never happen to us. You see, the devil is clever and very cunning. Without us realising it, he messes with our heads. He eggs us on to ask questions and without us realising it, he quietly steals our faith. 

9You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith.  

You must resist the devil with every fibre of your being. Remember, he always comes with a basket filled with enchanting stuff, flattering promises, beautiful temptations, and sometimes even a load of threats. 

The devil easily and gladly uses circumstances to lure us off the road. We have no trouble hearing his hissing. Then we get so scared that our pants start shaking, because that is how he shakes the foundations of our faith. 

Therefore, we must repel the attacks of the devil. No, don’t start arguing and try to win the war that way. Resist it and get reinforcements. If the enemy seems too strong, pray and ask for help. Ask your friends to help you combat these attacks. 

Never play on a slippery stoep, the chance of slipping is too easy. Make sure you never allow yourself to get into an area where you know your defences are thin. Always make sure your faith is strong enough to withstand the attacks. 

Scripture
1 Peter 5:4-7

Reflection
Where is your faith being attacked?
Where shouldn’t you go and play?
How can you strengthen your faith against the devil’s attacks? 

Prayer
Father, I know there are times when I slip up. There are times when my faith hangs by a thin thread. May the Spirit help me to keep upright. I ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.