Daily Devotional – I’m Normal.™ I AM Ministries
“To promote Godly living in a culture committed to destroying it”
Saturday, June 14, 2014
On the Prowl
Our home in Colorado was adjacent to almost 10,000 acres of totally undeveloped land. The other areas surrounding our property were also populated sparsely. In many ways, we were living in the midst of a wildlife preserve where deer, elk, and other animals could be seen regularly. We felt at peace with nature, safe and secure.
One night, we awoke to what sounded like a woman’s scream coming from the front of the house where our vehicles were parked. We investigated, but found nothing. The next morning, we discovered the hood of one of our vehicles had wide scratch marks in the paint, which had been removed down to the primer. The evidence was clear – a mountain lion was prowling around our home. Not long after this incident, we witnessed a mountain lion examining the open trunk of our only neighbor’s car. Suddenly we felt less secure in our surroundings.
Can you imagine what it’s like living in a neighborhood with a hungry lion on the prowl? This is a difficult concept for most people, including us. Feeling our safety was threatened, our household went into “red alert” – preparing for other such incidents, protecting the children and teaching them what to do in an emergency, and keeping the animals inside. After proper preparation, we felt ready for any further attacks. By God’s grace, we had no further incidents.
Spiritually, none of is so luck as to avoid attacks. There is a loose, hungry lion prowling around your neighborhood. In fact, there’s one right in your own home, even prowling in your heart. The Bible warns us, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy, the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8). This verse is meant to wake us up to the reality of what is happening all around us in the spiritual realm.
There is a very real devil out there, one who orchestrates a very real kingdom of darkness made up of demonic spirits. He is a lion on the prowl and he’s a lyin’ son of a gun (John 8:44). He is your enemy, the enemy of your spiritual life, your home life, your marriage, even your church. He would love nothing more than to find you asleep at your post when you are supposed to be alert and on guard as a parent, a spouse, or a parishioner. He would love nothing more than to slip past you clandestinely and ravage the joy in your life (John 10:10).
A good deal of the Christian world is acting like an ostrich with their heads buried in the sand, ignoring the true nature of Satan. That’s the more hopeful part of the story. The other, more depressing side is the rest of the world completely disbelieves he even exists. They view him as a cute fellow in a red suit and long pointed tail, ready to give us a playful poke with his pitchfork. Some even view him as an ally or a friend, the spirit who lets them “cut loose” every once in a while.
The truth is, we are at war with Satan. He is battling us in our daily lives whether we choose to believe it or not. Fortunately, God has given us spiritual tools to equip us in the battle of spiritual warfare. God tells us through His Apostle Paul to “Be strong in the power of the LORD and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” (Ephesians 6:10-11).
It is normal for any soldier to put on his armor before going into battle. God gives us His full armor – the belt of Truth, the breastplate of righteousness, ready feet, the Gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. We must be dressed for battle and prepared to use the tools God has given us if we have any hope of victory against our adversary.
There is a lion on the prowl in your life. Have you battened down your spiritually hatches to keep him away? Have you put your heart and your household on “red alert”? Satan comes dressed fully for battle against your spiritual life and your joy in the LORD. Take the normal, necessary steps to protect yourself and your loved ones. Put on the full armor that God has given us (Ephesians 6:10-18). It is only by using His armor that we can defeat this lion on the prowl and achieve the victory God wants for us.
In His love and service,
Jeff Myers
A servant of Jesus Christ
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