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Prayer Journal

Thursday, May 17, 2001

Have you ever stopped to consider the wonders of the animal kingdom that blesses the earth? Think with me for a moment about the common turtle. Scientists believe these creatures may be one of the oldest species of animals still living. They are comfortable in or under the water and equally at home on dry ground.

As I took a walk around the pond at a local park today, I came upon a turtle at the edge of the water. I noticed his long neck extended far beyond his hard-shelled body and he carefully watched as I passed by. No doubt, had I stopped and approached him, he would have returned to the water or retracted his head and feet under his shell for protection and waited for me to leave.

Yes, God has endowed every living creature with an instinct that can prove to be lifesaving when employed against the threat of a predatory enemy. The animal kingdom's defense mechanism might be the hard shell like the turtle, the spiny needles of the porcupine or even the emission of an offensive odor like the skunk. One thing they all have in common -- God made them available for defense against attack. Even Christians have defensive instinct. Listen to what Scripture says concerning our defensive weapons:

"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith..." 1 Peter 5:8-9a

A Christian's resistance to the devil is not to be confused with the turtle shrinking back into his shell, but much as a person protected from a hungry lion by thick safety glass. The fact is that through the provision of a zoo's containment measure, there is safety to stand and squarely look into the eyes of the most fierce creature without fear. However, let anyone stand unprotected with a caged lion and you have an entirely different picture.

You see, there is no other living creature more to be feared than a lion, especially when he's hungry and looking for a meal. The fact is that the lion is at the top of the food chain and man without a weapon is far down that list.

The picture of Peter is one where safety from the devil's threat comes from another person's strength. To us, that strength is the arm of the Lord. Under His shelter and in His hand, we are more than protected -- we are as powerful as the One who protects us.

The lesson for today? Don't do a stare-down with the devil unless you are in the right place. That place is under God's care and protection and in His will. "Standing firm in the faith" implies being in the right position in regard to God. It doesn't imply that we have any strength of our own. This fact shouldn't surprise anyone. It's all about God, isn't it?

Just Thinkin'... WebServant

(1) Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society
(2) The images used herein were obtained from the Learning Company's ClickArt Christian Graphics Deluxe product, (c)1999 The Learning Company, Inc and its subsidiaries, 88 Roland Way, Novato, CA 94945 USA. All Rights Reserved.

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