It performed great signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to the earth in full view of the people. (Rev. 13:13)
“My problem is that I go into every game assuming that I am going to make the shot.” My friend said this over dinner recently. Ironically, it was a dinner that was being followed up by a round of bowling. The rest of us laughed. We know the confidence she has, and most of us could not relate to that statement.
Later, at the alley, our friend was facing a one-pin-standing situation. She walked boldly toward the lane and released her ball. It rolled directly toward the pin, hitting it dead on. We all cheered until our eyes caught the end of the lane. Behind that last pin standing, was another that had been hidden behind it.
Thankfully, in a game of bowling the only thing that is hurt by a surprise like this is the person’s pride. The book of Revelation warns us that God’s works will be distorted by our enemy, and that we should be on the lookout for these illusions. We may find ourselves watching an event play out that seems to hit the mark, until we see what is truly lying behind it. Wonders, we are told, can be the result of the enemy’s work or the Spirit’s power. How we discern between the two is by looking for God’s marks of truth and love.
Ask God to help you discern where he is at work.
Heather Mazellan is a student at Wesley Seminary, thankful wife, and joyful mother to three kids.
© 2022 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
