Text: “He disappointeth the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise.” – Job 5:12.
Comment: Having taken up the “cup of salvation”, with the determination to steadfastly hold on to God’s righteousness till the end, there are some who allow themselves to be used by the devil, to bring opposing circumstances along our way, just to make sure we do not succeed. Painfully, people who do this, may not be persons afar off, but those close to us, such as siblings, relatives and even fellow worshippers. (Psalm 55:12,13). Those who make themselves as stumbling blocks for others in the way of salvation, are described by St. Paul as “false brethren” – 2 Corinthians 11:26; Galatians 2:4.
The Holy Bible enjoins us not to hate those inclined to evil (Leviticus 19:18; Romans 12:14, 17-21) What we are to do is to strive to avoid anything that will bring us in conflict or confrontation with them. (Romans 16:17). So long as we continue to please our Maker by doing His will, He promises to set His eyes upon us for good, so that those who make themselves our detractors would never succeed in their plot to hurt us. The Prophet Jeremiah asked: “Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?” St. Paul puts it in this wise: “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” – Lamentations 3:37; Romans 8:31.