It’s 2017, and I guess I ought to be wishing everyone a Happy New Year since this is the first “Pastor’s Heart” of the year.  I do hope you have a blessed and fruitful year; however, the tone of today’s note is a little more somber than I thought it might be.  This is due to something I read a few days ago that has stuck with me.  It was the story of a young ministerial student about to finish college, and he was talking with his future father-in-law who had been in the ministry for a number of years.  The conversation turned to ministry, and the older gentleman was encouraging the young preacher to stay faithful.  Then he said this: “It’s a long way from here to where you’re going to go, and Satan’s in no hurry to get you.”  Satan’s in no hurry to get you.  Let that one sink in for a minute.  As I did just that, my mind flashed to the Apostle Peter’s words describing this enemy as one “walking about, seeking” (1 Peter 5:8).  By the way, that’s not just for preachers, either.  It’s for all of us.  Me, you, all that name the name of Christ.  The Devil is a patient adversary.  Always probing, persistently looking for that right moment, that right opening, that right circumstance.  And then he pounces.  And many succumb.  Not much of a joyous new year’s greeting, is it?  But it’s true.  Perhaps, by God’s grace, you faithfully finished 2016 for the Lord.  That’s no guarantee for 2017.  Satan’s still there.  Remember, he’s in no hurry.  If not last year, maybe this year.  If not this year, perhaps the next.  And on it goes.  Day after day, month after month, year after year.  That’s why Peter also said, “Be sober, be vigilant….”  That’s why Paul said, “Put on the whole armor of God,” and James added, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil….”  Then there’s that all-important exhortation from the writer of Hebrews: “Looking unto Jesus.”  So there’s no need to despair.  We can rejoice in the grace of God and the victory in Jesus!  But may we always be aware of this fact: “Satan’s in no hurry to get you.”