I like reading missionary biographies. They show you patterns of the ways in which God works in the lives of those who serve Him.

However, I’ve noticed some other patterns in their lives as well – the sticky black ink fingerprints of Satan’s meddling.

As the old piece of wise advice goes: “Satan only bothers those who bother him.”

And it unfortunately makes sense. Why would Satan waste his time with those who aren’t really on board with the Lord and aiming to do things in his service?

Satan only has limited resources. He has to utilise them strategically.

So he meddles to throw us off course, off guard or out of alignment with one another.

Flicking through Elisabeth Elliot’s Passion and Purity recently, I was reminded of the story of Hudson and Maria Taylor. They really did have everyone opposing them. Satan was truly at work to tear them both down and endeavour to separate them for good.

But God.

God had different plans. God eventually ensured they were together and working together in his service. It is no secret just how much Hudson Taylor did for the Lord in China, with Maria. As Marshall Segal summarises: “Their love became an unusually tragic and triumphant drama of the mystery of marriage, of that sovereign, unshakable love between Christ and his church.”

Of course, reflecting on these things is concerning. We have an active adversary.

But that is never the end of the story for those who have faith in Christ.

The apostle, Paul had more than enough trouble ministering to the Corinthian church. He also had blockages in his attempts to do mission work. Yet, here are his reflections:

I wrote as I did, so that when I came I would not be distressed by those who should have made me rejoice. I had confidence in all of you, that you would all share my joy. For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you.

Another reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and found that the Lord had opened a door for me, I still had no peace of mind, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia.

But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.

We are not unaware of Satan’s schemes.

Neither are we unaware of God’s plans for triumph.

This is the nature of service: so we hold an awareness of these two things together.

Yours not unaware and trusting,

Alison