Victory

1 Peter 5:8 – Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (NIV)

After completing my coffee time with the Lord the other morning, I was enjoying the ever-changing panorama that my bay window greets me with every day. Suddenly, my attention was grabbed by the sight of a huge, black crow gliding down to light on a branch of the large maple tree across the street. As it ruffled itself into a comfortable position, I noticed that its attention seemed to be riveted on the thick foliage just below its perch.

Suddenly, the greenery seemed to explode, and bits and pieces of leaves and twigs flew in all directions as a pair of robins streaked furiously straight at this hated intruder.

The unsuspecting target of this pair of cannonballs began to topple backwards off the branch, but with a frantic flapping of its wings, it managed to regain its balance and awkwardly began to ascend up and away from the violent onslaught.

But the robins were not finished with this enemy yet, and being much faster than the awkward crow, they began to circle above it, then swooped down and viciously dive-bombed onto the back of the black mass of feathers below them, not giving it a chance to escape their attack.

I was totally mesmerized by this violent scene taking place before my eyes, since I had never seen robins behave in this manner. It didn't take a genius to know that they were defending their nest, and they were sparing no quarter.

They continued to pursue the badly battered crow until it finally gained enough altitude to flap itself away to safety.

I had to cheer for those brave champions as they soared back to their tree and were soon lost from sight in its protective camouflage.

What a wonderful sense of victory they must have been feeling as they settled back into the safety of their nest.

It suddenly occurred to me that I had witnessed a vivid example of the Scripture's frequent warnings to be constantly aware of the ever-present danger of the enemy, who is always lurking about, with one single goal in mind, namely, our destruction.

Those robins didn't wait for their enemy to attack, but were immediately alert to its presence and took the initiative — and they persisted in their pursuit until they were victorious. So must we always be on the alert to the danger of our hated enemy, Satan, and be prepared to put him to rout through the power given to us by the Holy Spirit. I share this anecdote today as a reminder of the constant danger that we have to be aware of, even in an area where we feel the most confident and comfortable. Also, I hope that it serves as a reminder that we can never be passive or lulled into the trap of familiarity, for evil can be so easily camouflaged.

Prayer: Loving heavenly Father, thank You for the many warnings that You give us against the enemy in Your Word, by means of different illustrations or direct commands. Keep us ever alert to his tactics and armed against any of his devices by putting on our spiritual armour daily, holding up our shield of faith, and applying the sword of the Spirit whenever You give us a warning that he is lurking nearby, just waiting for a chance to harm us. In Jesus' strong name, we pray. Amen.