Four Nights With The Devil

by Peter Hockley

  One evening, I was standing at the counter of a local Chinese takeaway, waiting to collect my food, when an old friend I had not seen in years walked in. We had known each other since we were young boys, back at middle school and the days of the irksome Christmas carol services. We were little terrors, in most lessons we sat next to each other at the back of the classroom and induced migraine headaches in our teachers. Our close friendship continued throughout our time at Cheney School, although the circumstances of life meant that after final exams we quickly drifted apart. That night in the takeaway, we were happily surprised to run into each other again after so long a time, and the inevitable question arose about what was happening with life now. I let him go first.

  When my turn came he went pale. My order arrived before his, but I was barely in the middle of the story and waited for him to get his food, still sharing how the Lord Jesus had transformed the wayward youth he remembered from school into a Bible-reading, heaven-praising Christian. And that was after a four night conference with the devil. My old friend’s eyes were on stalks and questions poured out of him like water. Even after he collected his meal, we stood outside the takeaway, oblivious to the chill in the air and I spent another hour talking with him about the way of salvation through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

  I carried a bag full of cold Chinese food home with me that night. I didn’t mind one bit. My spirit was filled with unspeakable joy and my soul satisfied with the immeasurable goodness of God.

  Chapter Twenty One : From Darkness to Light

  Rise, and stand upon your feet: for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of these things which you have seen, and of the things which I will yet reveal to you; Delivering thee from the people, as well as from the gentiles, to whom I now send you; To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of satan to God. (Acts 26:16-18 KJV)

  Ten years have passed since the visitation from the devil. I remain free and both as a Christian and as a man I grow continuously. For four years I worked for Oxford Bible Church as the administrator and personal assistant to Pastor Derek. During that time I also led the church’s ministry for students and young adults. I’ve also done voluntary youth work with teenagers on an Oxford housing estate. Today, I am an Evangelist, preaching the word of God – still ministering frequently at OBC’s Sunday services and preaching around the UK. My first overseas mission came in 2013, with two trips to India and preaching in mass open-air meetings before crowds of many thousands. For now, my main ministry work remains in Oxford, however, I also know that one day I’ll leave this beautiful city, take up the Gospel and travel full-time as an itinerant preacher. The invites to share my testimony still come. I spread the Good News of Jesus wherever my Lord opens a door for me and I serve Him with a glad, fulfilled and truly satisfied heart.

  Once, Jesus meant little to me. He was nothing but a pale face on a stained glass window and if there was anyone I believed in less than Christ it was the devil. In the days before faith, when I was immersed in the world of nightclubs and drinking, it was a common sight, on the weekend of Valentine’s Day, to see dozens of young women in the bars wearing furry, red devil-horn headbands. Because that’s what satan is to people: a joke; the comedy image of a little red imp, carrying a pitchfork in his hand. The devil has become laughable, even lovable. It’s a safe picture, people think, because the evil one doesn’t exist.

  I beg to differ.

  To paraphrase the French poet, Baudelaire: “The greatest trick the devil ever pulled is convincing the world he doesn’t exist.”

  satan is real. And he’s no joke. The devil is an evil spirit, filled with hatred for all people and he very nearly destroyed my life. When satan’s existence was revealed to me on that cold December night, amid the chaos of inconceivable fear and the dread of imminent death and damnation, the entire world as I knew it vanished forever. In one second my every perception about life changed. Look at any watch or clock and pay attention to that little pointer as it tick-ticks its way around the clock-face. In the time it takes to make just one of those movements, the twenty-one years of knowledge and experience I had accumulated beforehand and every conclusion about existence I had ever reached was upended, as I was flooded with supernatural revelation. I encountered the terror of a genuine spiritual evil which seeks to destroy man and, thankfully, I discovered the only omnipotent power capable of saving man from it. But for the power of Christ and the prayers of His people, I’m convinced I would have been lost that night.

  My heart grieves at the sight of an entire occult-obsessed generation, blind and sprinting without care toward destruction. Enthralled with boy-wizards in books, demons on TV and vampires at the cinema, teenagers and adults alike are flinging themselves into satan’s lair. “Come on in,” says the devil. “They’re only books and movies; nothing but harmless entertainment.” And, entertained, the people take the dragon by his clawed hands and follow him into the jaws of hell.

  I say this, not as an ignorant, religious zealot or closed-minded, Bible-thumping puritan. I speak as one who once dangled at the edge those hellish jaws himself, and who barely escaped the fire and torment of evil through the Name of the only All-Sufficient Saviour, Jesus Christ.

  And I’m not alone. I meet Christians all the time with their own stories to tell; all different but equally heart-warming, spirit-lifting, faith-igniting testimonies of God’s love and power. No matter where they started out in life, no one yet who ever truly put their faith in Christ failed to find peace, safety, joy, hope and love in the glorious Son of God.

  Someone who heard a recording of my story came to me afterward and wanted the answer to only one question:

  What happened to Debbie?

  Eight months after the events described in this book, my Kenyan friend left England with her family and went to study with her sisters in the USA. Three years passed, though Deb and I stayed in touch over the phone and by email. Gradually, our relationship deepened until our friendship became love and, in late 2006, Debbie returned alone to Oxford to be with me.

  In July 2008, surrounded by two hundred members of family and dearest friends and with the prayers and blessing of Pastors Derek and Hilary, Debbie and I were married.

  Some stories do have happy endings.

  I finish by returning to the afternoon in the coffee bar: my first day as a born again Christian. I will always treasure the memory of that afternoon. It was the day that I really got to know Debbie – my future wife – and was the beginning of my understanding that God had made me for a purpose and a glorious destiny. Debbie looked at me that day and said my story—all that happened to me through the encounter with satan and the truly miraculous, supernatural work God has performed within me—would be heard by multitudes of people and would touch their lives in ways impossible to comprehend. I believe that was a prophetic word and it is my sincere prayer that God will use this testimony as far and wide as possible and that all who hear my story, Christian or not, even you who have now finished this book, will turn again to Jesus – the Lord of lords and King of kings.

  Salvation

  If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9 NIV)

  Human beings are separated from God by Sin. Without the life of God in him the very nature of man is corrupted, riddled with pride, hatred, bitterness, lust, greed, jealousy – he is spiritually bankrupt and left broken and empty in his core. Without exception, all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. All of us are guilty and stand beneath the judgment of God.

  No remedy on earth exists to mend this problem of sin and separation – the pain of it tears at us, for we were not made to live in this state and we try every method we can come up with to quieten the noise of our brokenness, to no avail. Money won’t do it; education is not enough; self-indulgence is futile; power and success makes no difference at all; ever
y religion there is recognises man is far from God and religious activity is man's best attempt to fix the problem. But even religion doesn't work because external action cannot remedy an internal breakdown. Good deeds are inadequate to close the gap between us and our Creator. Our very best efforts are doomed to fail, for sin still rules over us on the inside and God Almighty will hold us to account – to our everlasting shame.

  We need a Saviour and God, in great mercy, provided one sufficient for all mankind in the person of Jesus Christ. We were unable to climb back up to God in heaven, so He came down to us on earth. Even while we were sinners, Jesus died for us. On the Cross He took our sin upon Himself and suffered the penalty that was ours. God sent His Son into a lost world not to condemn it but to save it. After three days Christ rose again, having made atonement for every person. This is the Gospel – that God so loved the world, He gave His only Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

  Jesus makes it possible to receive total forgiveness of sins and, through faith in Him, we are spiritually reborn – we are born...again. God offers this eternal life to everyone. Whoever you are and whatever you may have done, God urges you to repent, to acknowledge your sin and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, trusting in His sacrifice for you. Christ alone is the way to Salvation; He is the only doorway to heaven and peace with God. And friend, that door is open for you now.

  If this testimony has touched you and you know you are separated from God, let me encourage you to turn to Jesus Christ today. Don’t hesitate another moment but repent and open your heart to Him in prayer. There are no magic words or special formula, what matters is that your prayer is sincere from your heart. Ask the Lord to forgive your sins and believe that He hears and responds. His promise is that all who call upon Jesus in faith shall be saved, so call on Him now and give Him your whole life.

  The Last Word

  At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, Whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:3-7 NIV)

  Amen.

  Acknowledgments

  First, I must thank my mother, Shirley. Your love and support has been unwavering and a constant source of strength. You never gave up on me and, as the story told in these pages shows, you have stuck by me even in the darkest of times. I love you dearly.

  To my other Mum, Margaret, and my sisters, Becky, Sharon and Esther, you are so precious to me – the best family I could ever hope to have! Your example of steadfast faith and kindness are the reason this story even has the ending that it does.

  My Pastors, Derek and Hilary Walker. Do you even know how inspirational you are? It has been an honour and a pleasure to learn and grow as a Christian under your ministry. Not only from the pulpit, but from the continuous display of humility, sacrifice, service and love in your own lives, you show our church Christianity as it’s supposed to be. Thank you so much.

  In a more practical sense, many thanks to Pam Masih for your help with typing the early manuscript – and the delicious curries you cooked along the way. You’re a star, Pam!

  Many thanks also to Harry Strachan for the excellent cover design and Japhary Kitenge for the author photo!

  My brothers and sisters in Christ who encouraged me along this journey: Akeem Sule, Ian Pattison, Ishmael Dodoo, Christopher Hughes, Sheila Thomas, Susan Finlay, Tricia Patrick, my dear cousin Tracy Hibberd and many others – your words have been seeds of encouragement sown at just the right time.

  Lastly, most importantly, my Beautiful wife, Debbie. From my heart: thank you for showing me Jesus. For loving and caring when I didn’t deserve it, or return the affection. For never giving up; always encouraging, always driving me to excel and go further and be better than I thought was possible. You are my most precious gift from God – my Eve – and I cherish you as the dearest treasure of my heart. Without you, none of this would have happened. I love you, Honey; forever.