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1 Thessalonians 2:1-20Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us (2:18).The Attack Of Satan When Abraham came to offer sacrifice to the Lord in the fifteenth chapter of Genesis, there swooped down upon it all the vultures and the carrion crows of heaven; and Abraham had to stand by his sacrifice and fight off the dirty and unclean birds. And so it is with you. When you give your life and your heart to Christ, Satan will be there to hinder you. All up and down the battle line, in the rear and in the vanguard, at dawn and at dusk, at midday and at midnight, there will you find that adversary like a roaring lion [1 Peter 5:7], devouring whom he may consume, opposing all good and all right, and everything of Christ and of God. In the face of an adversary so unusually potent and ingenious, what do you do? His ways are beyond us. For one thing, he never strokes the feathers of his birds the wrong way. His appeal is always what appeals to us. He woos us, and entices us, and wins us. He baits his cast for the fish he is to catch. All of those things that pull you away from the Lord, and from your church, and from devotion to Christ—all of those things, that’s Satan hindering us. That’s why two things: first, that’s why God’s children must pray. Satan trembles when he sees the least saint down on his knees. God’s people must pray. “Lord, the battle is not to the strong, nor the race to the swift, but God chooses them who are victorious, and the battle lies with Thee, Lord. And, our Lord, remember the church, remember the church. Don’t let Satan sow seeds of heresy and division and diversity among the people of the Lord. O God, keep out the tares; don’t let them be planted and rooted. Lord, Lord, keep our fellowship wonderful and precious and sweet.” The other thing is this: the Book says that Satan is defeated. We don’t have to be afraid. Brethren, it’s a temporary thing that he’s here. It’s a temporary thing that he makes us sick. It’s a temporary thing that he tears up our homes. It’s a temporary thing that he sows tares and discord among the brethren. It’s a temporary thing that he hinders and interdicts. It’s for the moment. Our victory is final and forever. Blessed be the name of the Lord who saves us, who sustains us, and who keeps us now and to the end of the way.