Lucifer's Downfall

 I heard a story about D. L. Moody that I believe to be true. One time when he preached at a church a lady met him at the door after the sermon. She was very complimentary of his massage and told him it was one of the best she had ever heard. He responded to her compliments by saying, "I know. Satan has already told me that." His implication to the lady was that Satan was trying to get Him to be proud and to exalt himself since he was a good preacher. He didn't fall for that and neither should we.

I believe Isaiah 14 begins with a message for the king of Babylon, but then God shows Isaiah some things that apply to Lucifer, since both of them were taken down because of their pride. (Isaiah 14:12,13) "How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning. You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world. For you said to yourself, 'I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God's stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north.'" This should be a stark warning to all of us.

God created Lucifer as an angel of light. He was beautiful in all of his glory. His name meant "light bearer." Lucifer was in charge of leading the worship in heaven around God's throne, directing all of the other angels. However, He switched his focus from worshiping God to being worshiped himself. His desire became to set his throne above God's throne and His stars. He wanted to preside over heaven, and He thought he could do that. Therefore, God cast Lucifer down to the earth. He was no longer the light bearer. He was burned and ugly, a very dark creature.

If God did that to one of the main angels He made to serve Him in heaven, how much more will He do that to us if we become proud and want to exalt ourselves? I believe God hates pride, and He punishes it very severely because He knows the damage it does to us and those around us. I know we have to guard against pride all of the time, because Satan tempts us to commit the same sins that he committed to get him thrown out of heaven. We must never listen to him. We must humble ourselves and submit to God, giving Him all of the honor and praise for all He enables us to do. Then, we will be exalted by God in due time.

#NHBaptistdotorg

Tomorrow, I intend to read Isaiah 15-17.