1 Samuel 11:1-3 (NASB) Now Nahash the Ammonite came up and besieged Jabesh-gilead; and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Make a covenant with us and we will serve you.” But Nahash the Ammonite said to them, “I will make it with you on this condition, that I will gouge out the right eye of everyone of you, thus I will make it a reproach on all Israel.” And the elders of Jabesh said to him, “Let us alone for seven days, that we may send messengers throughout the territory of Israel. Then if there is no one to deliver us, we will come out to you.”
Like the men of Jabesh-gilead, we have an enemy who wants us half-blind so that he can bring reproach on the church. Since he cannot change the fact that we are the people of God, he tries hard to infect our thinking. Fear is a tool Satan frequently uses to serve as his hokum. A hokum is a device used to
bring about a desired response from listeners. In theatre, the desired response is usually laughter; but in real life drama, that isn’t necessarily the case. Hokum also means nonsense. Among other strategies, our enemy strives to manipulate our actions and attitudes by employing both blinding fear and pure
nonsense. We need to keep our focus on Christ Jesus; for like the people of Jabesh-gilead, if we do not seek our deliverer, we will end up serving the very enemy who plans to harm us.
It is easy to see situations as hopeless when we find ourselves in a crisis. That is one reason we have to remember that what the enemy tells us is pure hogwash. I remember a time when I faced a terrifying and seemingly impossible situation. I was not a Christian yet, but God did have His hand on me and
spared me from horrendous cost. The experience has served to remind me that even during our darkest times, God will provide a path for us that does not lead to sin.
My oldest children are just eleven months apart. When they were close to one-and-a-half years and six months old, my ex-husband moved out of our apartment. The children and I also had to move because we were behind in payments and an eviction notice was on our door. I was in a work-training program at that time which was supposed to lead to job interviews once completed; but there was still about a month to go on the training. Since I did not have money, I asked my mother if I could move back home. She said “No”. I pleaded with her multiple times, but her own experience of moving back home when we were little had caused many hard feelings between Grandma and herself. She just did not think it was a good idea and stood solidly on that decision.
Later, with the clock ticking down the moments of uncertainty, I broke into tears in front of another woman. Much to my relief, she invited the babies and me to come live with her and her husband. I was even able to continue attending class, as they were willing to watch the children while I was there. For a week and a half, I experienced relief. Then the attack came. They informed me of what their expectations were. I didn’t know what to do or where to go. The babies needed a roof over their heads and food in their bellies. I experienced a treacherous level of fear and hopelessness.
I was not a Christian yet, but I did call on God’s name for help. In all honesty, I was venting more than praying. However, God heard and responded even though I failed to recognize or thank Him for it back then. I went to my mother and pleaded again. Her answer was still “No, stay there.” She did not budge
until I explained, “But Mom, they are pimps!” Since I was very dishonest back then, my mother could understandably have chosen not to believe me, but she allowed the children and I to move back home that very day. I was spared from going through an experience that too many people do face, people who are trapped by the delusion of hopelessness.
Children of God, even as Christians we can also be hoodwinked by Satan if we do not call on our deliverer when we are in dire straits. It is essential at all times, but especially during the extremely difficult times to keep two significant truths in focus: First, remember that God has an important plan for each and every believer, which will bring Him glory. Also, bear in mind that Satan plans on using his hokum to make a laughing stock out of the church. (Do not let him!)
Oh, by the way, unlike the men of Jabesh-gilead, do not be willing to serve the enemy even if he covenants to make it comfy for you! When he says something is good, just know that it is pure hooey!