Black Beard

Read: Isaiah 14:12-15

You were perfect in your ways ... till iniquity was found in you. --- Ezekiel 28:15

The Bible In One Year:
Joshua 10-12
Luke 1:39-56

As a young man in the late 1600s, Edward Teach joined the crew of a British ship that was headed to the Caribbean. Much later in his nautical career, he managed to capture a merchant vessel and turn it into a 40-gun warship. Teach soon became known as Blackbeard --- the most feared pirate in the hemisphere.

Blackbeard had some success as a pirate, but his "career" abruptly ended when he encountered a contingent of the British Royal Navy. In a desperate battle, he and his fellow pirates were killed, putting an end to their terrorizing exploits.

Long ago in the heavenly places, an angel fell into spiritual piracy. Lucifer was a cherub who stood in the radiant glory of God [Ezek. 28:11-15]. But his own self-love replaced love for his Creator. Desiring to be like the Most High, he led a rebellion and was cast out of heaven [Isa. 14:12-15]. Today he and his henchmen are doing whatever they can to commandeer the lives of human beings [Luke 8:12; 2 Cor. 4:4].

Even so, we don't need to be afraid. Satan is a dangerous enemy, but Jesus sealed his ultimate fate when He rose from the dead. And He has given us everything we need to withstand the devil's attacks [Eph. 6:10-18]. --- Dennis Fisher

And though this world with devils filled
Should threaten to undo us;
We will not fear, for God has willed
His truth to triumph through us. --- Luther

HE WHO IS IN YOU IS GREATER THAN HE WHO IS IN THE WORLD. --- 1 John 4:4