OCTOBER 22 | 1 PETER 5:3-9
DAILY READING
REFLECTION
Life in the Jungle
By Judy Webb
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. (1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV)
This verse is fascinating. A prowling lion is a frightening picture. A prowling lion brings to mind how scary a powerful beast like this is, and his deafening roar sends us into a panic. We cower in fear and tremble when we hear the sound. Couple that with the visual this verse suggests and we can picture evil lurking in the shadows. The lion is considered an over-powering force. Evil. Even when everything seems peaceful, he is hunting for his next meal, and he is hungry.
Right now, Satan is free to walk about the earth, he has not yet been bound or restrained. By reading Scripture daily we learn to recognize his cunning ways. We cannot be easily fooled. “He knows our feelings and propensities and informs himself of all our circumstances. Only God can know more and do more than Satan.” – David Guzik
The good news is Satan is finite and can only be in one place at a time, although he has associates. He can rob us of our effectiveness. He can appear as an angel of light, disguised as a messenger of goodness and truth. (2 Corinthians 11:13) How can we overcome this? The secret to spiritual warfare is simple…steadfast resistance; unceasing prayer. (Luke 6:12)
I’ve never been on an African Safari, but I imagine the guide would caution us to be aware of our surroundings and not to taunt or tempt the wildlife with food or foolish gestures. Life in the jungle can be dangerous. “Keep your hands inside the vehicle at all times.” We are to be steadfast and obey the guide. A similar warning can be found in this text…Be Alert! Be of Sober Mind. Make prayer a priority and be more prayerful every time you sense Satan’s presence.
More good news, no soul fights alone. All believers are experiencing the same battles. “Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” (1 Peter 5:9)
PRAYER
Dear Father,
Give us wisdom to recognize Satan's cunning ways and to turn to you in prayer. We pray, Father, for protection from evil and we ask for eyes to see truth and to stand firm in that truth. Amen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
JUDY WEBB
I have been a member of UALC for 26 years and have been writing devotions for this site for almost 20 of them. Writing is my passion. As retired staff I still love everything about UALC and its members including my small group.
This was timely
Make prayer a priority....very wise.