The Power of Satan’s Weak Instruments
I have never read of more dangerous falls in the saints than were Adam’s, Lot’s, Samson’s, David’s, Solomon’s, and Peter’s, and in all of these, either the first enticers or the first occasioners are women. A weak creature may be a strong tempter. There is nothing too impotent or useless for the devil’s service.
We know it is the pride of Satan to imitate God. As God magnifies His power in bringing strength out of weakness, so also the devil labours to gain the glory over a strong enemy with the temptation of the weaker sex (1 Peter 3:7). The purpose of the devil’s assault is the despair of his enemy. He gets Judas to betray his master that he may after get him to hang himself, and he had the same intent in Peter’s denial. What is there so suited to drive a man to despair than an apprehension of the greatness of his sin? And what could more aggravate this sin than the fact that it was the voice of a maid that proved to be stronger than his faith in Jesus to sustain him? The devil tempts us that he may draw us into sin; but he tempts us with weak instruments that he may drive us to despair.
Dr. Edward Reynolds was born in 1599 in Southampton, England. He received his BA degree at Oxford in 1618. In 1622, before studying for his masters, Reynolds became a chaplain to the king and preacher at Lincoln’s Inn, London. The puritanical inclinations of Dr. Reynolds were well known; his character of piety and decorum were evident even in his college years. Edward Reynolds is known as the Bishop of Norfolk, but he was bishop for only the final fifteen years of his life and ministry. Prior to that he was the rector of Braunston, Northamptonshire, for almost thirty years. Although Reynolds was a Presbyterian by conviction, he had a reputation of moderation in his church polity. This was evidenced in his role in the Westminster Assembly. He was the only member to sit on all three of the major committees on the Confession of Faith, and with his moderate spirit provided balance in the discussions. These devotions are taken from the works of Edward Reynolds. They have been edited for thinkgospel.com. © 2013 thinkgospel.
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