What’s The Buzz?

“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” I Corinthians 15:55

Some years ago Frank Peretti, author of This Present Darkness and countless other books, was speaking at a Christian Artists Retreat in Estes Park, CO. He tells this story.

“A vacationing family drives along in their car, windows rolled down, enjoying the warm summer breeze of the sunny day. All of a sudden a big bee darts in the window and starts buzzing around inside the car. A little girl, highly allergic to bee stings, cringes in the back seat. If she is stung, she could die within an hour. “Oh, Daddy,” she squeals in terror. “It’s a bee! It’s going to sting me!” The father pulls the car over to a stop, and reaches back to try to catch the bee. Buzzing around toward him, the bee bumps against the front windshield where the father traps it in his fist. Holding it in his closed hand, the father waits for the inevitable sting. The bee stings the father’s hand and in pain, the father lets go of the bee. The bee is loose in the car again. The little girl again panics. “Daddy, it’s going to sting me!” The father gently says, “No honey, he’s not going to sting you now. Look at my hand.” She sees the bee’s stinger in his hand. Likewise, Jesus says to us, “Look at my hands.” He has Satan’s sting, the sting of death, the sting of sin, the sting of deceit. Jesus has all of those stingers in His hands. When you see that nail-scarred hand, realize that, on your behalf, Jesus took all the pain that Satan could throw at Him. He reduced Satan to a big black bee that’s lost its stinger–all Satan can do is buzz. That’s the victory that Jesus won for you!”

When life overwhelms you and you are weary from the fight, acknowledge Satan’s activity yes, but don’t ever be intimidated by him. He’s just a pesky, buzzing bee with no sting. Scripture instructs us to “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7). But even greater still is the promise that follows in verse 8: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”

Satan can buzz and threaten, but when you are held by the grace of Jesus Christ, he can do nothing outside of God’s hand. So do not fear but rather, resist the devil, in the mighty name of Jesus, stand your ground, and claim the victory that is ours in Christ Jesus.

Prayer
Thank You Gracious Father for overcoming all my fears and for keeping me secure in Your arms of love, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.