I have two equally impactful songs on “scars” to share with you fine folks. I couldn’t choose which one to develop so I decided to use one today and one tomorrow. So here goes nothing something: What the devil does to try to destroy us God uses to bring victory in our lives; and if we are walking by faith, when the dust settles and the smoke clears, we are closer to God. Then there is an added bonus because God can use the plight of our past to help others if we’ll let Him use our “life scars”. Look no further than the scars in the hands and feet of Jesus. Satan thought he’d won a great victory; however, he suffered his worst defeat ever as Jesus brought salvation to all mankind through His suffering on the cross! Take an example from everyday life: A child has been raised in a home full of alcoholism and violence, then proceeds to follow in his parent’s footsteps. As he grows up he searches for stability in life and finds that the only real, right solution is Jesus. He becomes a Christian and allows the Lord to use him to help drug addicts and alcoholics find freedom from addiction plus find salvation through Jesus in the process. What appeared to be an unloving God turning a blind eye to a child suffering in a dysfunctional and dangerous home resulted in victories in peoples’ physical and spiritual lives. Satan loses when we let God use our scars to serve Jesus for something good.

Read I Peter 1:3-9; 2:11-12; 3:13-18; 4:12-16; 5:8-11 and then listen to What Scars Are For by Mandisa.

1 Peter 1:3-9

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 2:11-12

Beloved, I urge you as foreigners and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul. Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God on the day of visitation.

1 Peter 3:13-18

And who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be in dread, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, but with gentleness and respect; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who disparage your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame. For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. For Christ also suffered for sins once for all time, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;

1 Peter 4:12-16

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though something strange were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that at the revelation of His glory you may also rejoice and be overjoyed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory, and of God, rests upon you. Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.

1 Peter 5:8-11

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. So resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brothers and sisters who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen.