Blackbeard

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

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 commander 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

READ: Isaiah 14:12-15

He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. — 1 John 4:4

The Bible in one year:

• Joshua 10-12

• Luke 1:39-56