There are two coyotes in our neighborhood. I had seen one several years ago, but just this past week I’ve seen two in the yard at various times. They are straggly looking and skinny, prowling for whatever food they can find in the daylight. Previously, they’ve been no big concern to me, but now that I have a small, white (easy to spot) “furbaby”, I need to be vigilant. One day recently, Marley must have smelled the coyotes. She was determined to go to the corner of our house and was not listening to my coaxing to come the other way. When, in frustration, I went to pick her up, I saw the two coyotes! They took off when they saw me, but I wondered how close they had been. I am sure that, if given the chance, they would snatch up Marley in a minute! Marley has no clue of the danger but knew of their presence. Last night, in our last trip outside in the dark, again, Marley was aware and even growling at something I could not see.
All this makes me think about the devil. I Peter 5:8 says, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith…” James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Come near to God and HE will come near to you.” I remember my mother telling me that she would actually stomp her foot on occasion and tell the devil to leave her! Hey, do whatever it takes to stand firm! Be alert to the devil’s schemes. Sadly, the devil knows exactly the weakness and temptations we each face. He is crafty and quick! He will do anything possible to pull us away from the truth and snare us in sin. At the first inkling of temptation of any kind, take precaution! Unlike Marley, we dare not go closer to the danger.
Satan will tremble at your faith in God and he will be unarmed when you quote God’s word. Even Jesus, when tempted by the devil on the mountain, was able to resist. When the devil said to Jesus, who had not eaten in 40 days, “If You are the Son of God, tell this stone become bread”. Jesus answered, “It is written, man shall not live on bread alone”. The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will all be yours”. Jesus answered, “It is written ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only”. The devil led Him to Jerusalem and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said,“throw yourself down from here. For it is written: He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone”. Jesus answered, “It says: do not put the Lord your God to the test”. When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time. (Luke 4: 3-13)
Similarly, as sheep following the Lord, our Good Shepherd, we need to beware of the wolves who also prowl around hoping to snatch us out of the fold. The Shepherd cares for his sheep and even knows them by name. I Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it”. As Christians, we are safe and protected when we put our trust in Jesus, and follow His Word. The Lord knows us by name; he loves us personally. What comfort there!
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters; He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,
For You are with me; Your rod and your staff they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and
I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever”. (Psalm 23)