“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” – 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV).
In the animal kingdom there are those animals whose antennas are always high on alert, just in case a predator is on the horizon. A mere lapse and then one of the bigger carnivorous animals or reptiles have their jaws deep into their necks. At times theses devourers sneak up in the bush or down the stream, leap and suddenly fall on to their unsuspecting prey.
Much like the animal world our lives as believers are also under constant threat from one ferocious enemy called Satan. He is a fallen angel who is ever going about sneaking upon someone to devour. In the story of Job we get an idea of how Satan uses his free time. And the Lord said to Satan. “From where have you come?” Satan answered, “From roaming throughout the earth going back and forth (Job 2:2). This is not a leisurely walk. “Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give all he has for his own life” (Job 2: 4), he pleaded for Job’s blood.
This is why the Apostle Paul reminds us, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes” (Ephesians 6:11). The reference to schemes is interesting. It means Satan is always designing plots against our lives from all angles, till he sneakily has his jaws sunk into our flesh. Once one’s antennas are down and there he is! As it is written, “The thief comes only to kill and destroy.” (John 10:10).
The Apostle Paul calls on us to be ever on guard. There is the Word of God to constantly guide us against Satan’s schemes, “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist” (Ephesians 6:14). Through prayer we also safeguard and throw him off. “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (Ephesians 6:18).
Prayer for today: Lord Father in heaven, today I pray in the loving name of Jesus to be constantly on alert against the dark wiles of the devourer that through the might of the power of the Holy Spirit you may protect me and all my belongings ever so, this I pray in Jesus’s name!
Related upcoming events
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20/04/2024 - 21/04/2024 All day“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong” (1 Cor 16:13)
Tourists who happen to visit Bukingham palace will be expected to notice the King’s royal guards. Dressed in colorful often red uniforms and adorning tall black helmets they stand on guard and no one dare cross them. Elsewhere in life we find guards in all manner of places quite firm on deterring any intruder wherever they may be.
For us Believers being on constant guard is a calling we must permanently observe. And why? Once in the course of his work, “Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns” (Mathew 16:23). Peter had just protested that he would not deny Jesus only to be sported out!
There is something for us to note here. Satan had penetrated the ranks of Jesus and was going through his closest disciple. It is clear that Peter was not even aware that he was being used. Anyway, he found his target, Jesus, was on guard. Immediately Satan was sent packing.
No Believer is immune to attacks from Satan. After all when once the Lord asked Satan his whereabouts: “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the LORD, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it” (Job 1:7). Clearly the guy is out there 24/7 looking for whom to devour. “Be alert, be on watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (I Peter 5:8).
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, as you have warned us to be on “guard” help me ever to be on the watch out for the attacks of the enemy and with your word rebuke Satan, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
