We are all familiar with the ‘food chain’ that exists in the world. If not, you have been asleep at the switch. Try going to a jungle or even a forest, maybe your own backyard. Somewhat like the ‘survival of the fittest’. Did it exist before the ‘Fall’? Did God intend it at creation? I think not. For we see in Isaiah that virtually every animal, the meek and the strong, will someday cohabitate. “The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them” (Isa. 11.6). Sounds safe and peaceful to me. But until Christ establishes his new eternal kingdom, we are living in a sinful world with suffering.
Last week, while at the Cooper Aerobics Center, I experienced the ‘food chain’. I was facing the floor to ceiling windows when suddenly I saw and heard this loud crash of two Grackles head on at full speed into the window with a hawk giving chase. The Grackles fell to the ground with broken necks and died almost instantly. The hawk flapped his wings and flew off. It was very chilling!
This made me think of our lives as we proceed through this world. We have a very strong and hungry enemy, Satan. Scripture spells it out clearly. “Be sober-minded; the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (I Pet. 5.8). The Spirit would not have revealed this if it were not so. You, as a believer, are his primary target. So, Bill, what are we to do? Peter answers that for us. “Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world” (I Pet. 5.9).
See, we are not exempt from various sufferings, but God gives this great assurance to which our faith clings. “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion, forever and ever. Amen. (I Pet. 5.9-11).
Satan cannot penetrate the shield of your faith. That was assured by Jesus’ shed blood on the cross. As he continues to attack you, he’s soon going to lose all his teeth and have an eternal headache. That’s a promise! But you might still be thinking; am I strong enough to resist him? The answer is no, not on your own. He is stronger than us. But the following promise is your victory song! “For he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (I Jn. 4b). Satan uses varying spirits which are false prophets, and they do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh and is God. Be on the alert. He comes in many forms, and in many ways.
Stand firm in your faith and resist him!! Remembering, Satan is no match for our Lord Jesus. He knocked him out all three times in the wilderness. It was a TKO!!! Knowing that, be strong and courageous in the Lord. (Joshua 1.7) Victory is assured! Hallelujah!