1 Peter 5:8-9
This has quickly become one of my favorite scripture in the last few weeks because it has so much imagery that goes along with it. I have been watching the new documentary mini-series of Serengeti on the Discovery Channel, so maybe that has a little bit to do with it. The scripture says:
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experience by your brotherhood throughout the world.”
As I watched the show, I have noticed that the lion doesn’t pounce on the zebra when she is surrounded by the herd. Actually, did you know that a pack of zebras is called a “zeal”, or “dazzle”? Now, that got me pretty excited right there…but we will get to that later. Anyways, the lion waits until the zebra has gotten engrossed in their own little part of the Serengeti, eating grass and standing alone…away from the zeal. He watches intently…inching closer to her as she stands idle…unbeknownst to her just a few short steps away. Because she was not watchful, within a split second she is devoured.
My friend, that is just like the devil. How many times have we been idle…not in the Word, doing our own thing away from the church, when the devil tries to attack and constantly bites at us until we feel immobile? We must be watchful, in The Word, and constantly seeking God. If we are constantly moving with zeal toward God, the devil can’t make a move!
What is zeal, you ask? I like these definitions:
-great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or an objective.
–fervent or enthusiastic devotion
Yes! When we are so enthusiastically devoted to the cause of Christ, seeking the Kingdom of God…that ‘ole devil gets intimidated. He can’t devour the watchful and when you spit the name of Jesus in his face, he has to flee! You know the old saying, “the devil is on my back”? Well, I don’t particularly like that too much…cause I don’t even want to give him a chance to get close to me. The closer I get to God, the further it pushes the devil from interference! Don’t entertain or entice him by lack of faith.
Stand a little more firm in your faith today. Open up your Bible and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart. I choose to “dazzle” the devil with the power of God! When he roars, I will resist.
