Imagine someone with a snake bite or scorpion sting or some other poisonous
substance in his system with no access to an antidote, what do you suppose will
be the fate of such person? Well, except by divine intervention, certain death
lurks around the corner for that person. An antidote, as we clearly know,
neutralises the effect of the poison/venom/toxin that pollutes the body system
and causes harm. Thank God for antidotes!
The world as we know it today is full of pollution. Mind you, I do not mean
air, land, water, or noise pollution as studied by environmentalists - I mean
spiritual pollution released from the pit of hell to endanger human souls.
Since Satan is the prince of this world, and since his three-fold ministry is
to 'Steal, Kill, and Destroy' (John 10:10a), he has unleashed his demonic
minions to roam freely and do untold damage. He has poisoned the world with so
much evil that permeates the nooks and crannies of the universe. He daily
attempts (and succeeds many a-times) to steal/kill/destroy people's joy,
health, sanctity, peace, promotion, success, salvation, progress, prosperity,
and what-have-you by injecting his venom into their situations and
circumstances.........but,
Thanks be to Jesus, there is an antidote! How so? Let's check the story of King
Saul in 1Samuel 16:14-23 (HCSB):
14 Now the Spirit of the Lord had left Saul, and an evil spirit [sent] from the
Lord began to torment him, 15 so Saul's servants said to him, "You see
that an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. 16 Let our lord command your
servants here in your presence to look for someone who knows how to play the
lyre. Whenever the evil spirit from God [troubles] you, that person can play
the lyre, and you will feel better." 17 Then Saul commanded his servants,
"Find me someone who plays well and bring him to me." 18 One of the
young men answered, "I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how
to play [the lyre]. He is also a valiant man, a warrior, eloquent, handsome,
and the Lord is with him." 19 Then Saul dispatched messengers to Jesse and
said, "Send me your son David, who is with the sheep." 20 So Jesse
took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine, and one young goat and sent
them by his son David to Saul. 21 When David came to Saul and entered his
service, Saul admired him greatly, and David became his armor-bearer. 22 Then
Saul sent word to Jesse: "Let David remain in my service, for I am pleased
with him." 23 Whenever the spirit from God [troubled] Saul, David would
pick up his lyre and play, and Saul would then be relieved, feel better, and
the evil spirit would leave him.
Saul's soul was poisoned with gloom and depression via the instrumentation of
torment by the evil spirit and the only antidote to this poison was music that
ascended to the throne of heaven (I'm sure David wasn't just playing some
music, he was dedicated to praising God with music). Whenever David played, the
evil spirit left, and Saul got better.
So what are you waiting for? Get your praise on! Praise is the surest antidote
that neutralises that 'poisonous' situation and relieves your very soul. Why?
God inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3). When you sing His praise,
He comes to revel in it, and tell me, what impish evil spirit can stand around?
Don't let the devil achieve his aim, don't let his poison take effect, meet it
headlong and neutralise it with your praise rising up to the Father of all good
and perfect gifts!
Shalom!
By Ayotunde.
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