Stop, Thief!

The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

John 10:10 (NLT)

I had saved up to buy my first car since I was 12. It was a 1984 Honda CRX, a two-seater that got well over 50 miles per gallon. It was a deep read with the skirt of the car painted gray. The one thing it was lacking, however, was a decent stereo system. So, I began saving my money for that too. Eventually, I was able to purchase new speakers, an amplifier, and a new deck with a CD player. (It was new to have a CD player in your car back then.) It had plenty of volume and, of course, plenty of bass output. I finally had a true, teenager’s car.

Unfortunately, a car with a nice stereo system in it is something that a lot of people desire, including thieves. Early one morning, my dad and I were awoken to the sound of my car alarm going off, then the sound of screeching tires. By the time we got out to the driveway to see what was going on, the thieves were gone. All of the stereo equipment was stripped out of my car. I felt bummed, but also violated.

The thieves didn’t just steal the stereo, they also stole my peace of mind. Every morning as I went out to my car, I wondered if it would still be there. I wondered if my windows would be smashed. I wondered what else could go wrong. It was unsettling. Anyone who has had a car stolen, or a house broken into will tell you the same. It’s not just the stuff that’s taken, it’s the robbing of a sense of peace that often hurts the most.

This is what Satan wants to do in our lives. He doesn’t just want to give us grief each day and try to trip us up. He wants to steal away our peace. He doesn’t want us to be able to rest in the promises of Jesus. He doesn’t want us to have hope. He wants to rob us, ultimately, of our faith. He knows that if he can rob us of this that we are doomed. We are lost.

In contrast, we have a God who wants only good things for us. As our verse today states, “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” And that life that He wants to give us isn’t just in the here and now, but all the way into eternity.

Today, and every day, don’t let Satan rob you of the joy Jesus wants to provide. Thank God for His goodness, faithfulness, and the peace that He brings.