Stay Alert!

The scene was a snow covered wilderness area populated only by a small herd of deer. It was serene and quiet, the perfect illustration of peace. There was no sense of danger at all and yet the deer were not comfortably foraging for food with heads bent low to ground. Instead they stood with raised heads looking cautiously around. They were listening, looking, and sniffing the air for any sign of danger. And I thought as I watched them, “They seem to spend most of their lives on the alert – always mindful of the enemy.”

Then I thought about the little squirrels I enjoy watching. We have huge oak trees on our front lawn and there are a couple of squirrels who make their home among the branches. As I sit eating breakfast, I can look out the picture window in the kitchen and most mornings watch them going about their little squirrel business. They are amazing the way they can run along the branches of the trees and leap from one to the other. However, when they descend the huge trunk and hit the ground they move very differently; two quick steps and then up on back haunches ears listening, eyes searching, nose sniffing – on the alert for any possible danger. They repeat this tedious process over and over until they reach their destination. I marvel at the way God has equipped these little creatures with what they need to keep them alert to anything that wants to harm them.

I can learn a very valuable lesson from these little animals, who live their lives in complete dependence upon their Creator. I too have an enemy who is seeking to destroy me, and God has equipped me with all I need not only to be on the alert but to fight back. The enemy prowls the word tells us:

“Stay alert! Watch out or your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” I Peter 5:8 (New Living translation)

We must also be aware that the enemy can come in more subtle ways. He may use pride, resentment, bitterness, or self-pity in the attack – whispering lies to our hearts. He may use discouragement, doubt, disappointment or fear. He has a huge arsenal at his disposal.

However, we need only remember that he is a defeated foe. Jesus has won the victory for us and has provided us with all we need in this fight:

“Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all the strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Therefore put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” Ephesians 6: 10-18 (New Living Trans.)

The enemy seems to know right where to shoot those fiery darts; he somehow knows our most vulnerable areas. It is when he is at his most subtle that I am in greatest danger. I know that I must stay close to the one who has already fought these battles for me. When I let my guard down, the enemy is quick to rush in.

I write these things not to frighten us but rather to encourage us in our walk with the Lord. Yes, we have an enemy, but we have a God who is greater than he that is in the world. And He dwells within each one of us who calls Him Lord.

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