THE THIEF AND HIS PLAN

Jesus promised each of His disciples – anyone who lives a life of faith in Him – an abundant life. But in the same breath, in the very same verse in the Bible, He also says that there’s a thief, and all the thief is interested in is to steal, kill and destroy. 

“The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).

The thief is your enemy, the Devil, and he wants to plunder your life and rob you of the abundant life that Jesus came to bring you. 

Paul the Apostle gives us a glimpse into the spiritual realm to tell us what’s going on when we’re under attack from this enemy, this thief. He writes: 

“Our struggle isn’t against enemies of blood and flesh but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).

There’s a spiritual dimension to life, and if we ignore it, we do so at our own peril. There is a devil; he is our enemy. He dangles glittery baubles under our noses, trinkets that appear to promise so much. Can he get us to wander into dangerous territory? Can he rob us of the safety and the pasture that Jesus promises us? Can he, ultimately, destroy us? That’s his aim. That’s his business plan. And he’ll use whatever tool or deception he can to make that happen.

The best protection from his schemes is the care of the Good Shepherd. Just like a shepherd protects his flock from attacks of dangerous animals, Jesus stands between you and the enemy of your soul. As the thief sneaks up, as the wild animals seek to tear at our flesh, as we wander off in our own direction into dangerous territory, one thing stands in the way. Or, should I say, one person.

The place of safety is close to Jesus, the one true Shepherd who laid down His life for you. 

There are going to be struggles in your life. And when they come, when things hurt, the place to go is to Jesus. He is your refuge. He can and will protect you. What a pity so many people suffer through their trials alone, when all along Jesus is waiting. 

LIFE APPLICATION QUESTIONS 

1. How do you usually respond to difficult situations in life? Has it been more a case of fighting with your circumstances, or drawing closer to the one true Shepherd?
2. How could you draw closer to Jesus over this coming week? What could you do to be found “in Christ”, inside the safety of that sheep pen?  
3. What things do you need to change to make that happen? 
4. What would it mean to you to know, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that God is indeed on your journey with you – every step of the way?