Power Over Darkness

"The power of Satan and his fallen angels is limited. They are but finite creatures who can do nothing outside the permissive will of God. Stan could do nothing against Job (and this was his complaint) until divinely permitted to do so. Satan and his angels are in possession of great knowledge, but they are not omniscient; they have vast power, when permitted to employ it, but they are not omnipotent; they cover the world by their delegated responsibility, but they are not omnipresent. They can suggest evil, but cannot coerce the will of another creature. They may spread snares and devices to ruin the children of God, but they cannot compel any other being to comply with their designs. They have power over nature when permitted to use it, but they can create nothing, nor can they employ God's creation other than as He decrees. They never defeated god. In truth, God uses Stan as an instrument to chasten and correct the erring saints. The knowledge of these limitations cannot but be a comfort to those Christians who take seriously their conflict with the powers of darkness."
-Lewis Sperry Chafer

Choosing Not to Choose

I longed to walk along an easy road,
   And leave behind the dull routine of home,
Thinking in other fields to serve my God'
   But Jesus said, "My time has not yet come."

I longed to sow the seed in other soil,
   To be unshackled in the work, and free,
To join with other laborers in their toil;
   But Jesus said, "It's not My choice for thee."

I longed to leave the desert, and be led
   To work where souls were sunk in sin and shame,
That I might win them; but the Master said,
   "I have not called you, publish here My name."

I longed to fight the battles of my King,
   Lift high His standards in the thickest strife;
But my great Captain had me wait and sing
   Songs of His conquests in my quiet life.

I longed to leave the hard and difficult sphere,
   Where all alone I seemed to stand and wait,
To feel I had some human helper near,
   But Jesus had me guard one lonely gate.

I longed to leave the common daily toil,
   Where no one seemed to understand or care;
But Jesus said, "I choose for you this soil,
   That you might raise for Me some blossoms rare."

And now I have no longing but to do
   At home, or far away, His blessed will,
To work amid the many or the few;
  Thus, "choosing not to choose," my heart is still.