Prowling Lions
-
The following article has been excerpted from Called to the Wild by Christopher Lawrence.
Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
- 1 Peter 5:8
Though rarely encountered, mountain lions lurk in many wilderness areas. These formidable foes leap up to 15 feet high and sometimes weigh as much as 220 pounds.
Runners, hikers and mountain bikers who venture solo in the backcountry, beware! These stealthy cats could attack—especially when you least suspect it.
This is what happened to a 35-year-old mountain biker in California, when his chain broke in a wilderness park. Crouching over his bike to fix it, a lion attacked from behind.
The incident proved fatal.
These attacks, though rare, share similar characteristics—the cunning cougars often pounce on the unsuspecting and vulnerable.
The message for adventurers stands clear: be on your guard.
Scripture also warns us to be wary of a spiritual predator: Satan, the arch enemy of God.
The early church leader, Peter, tells us the Devil is real and hates us and wants to derail us from God’s mission for our lives.
Peter is not joking using this metaphor; in his day lions literally killed Christians in the Colosseum. Just like a real predator, Satan pounces when we are weakest or unsuspecting.
He often does this through lies and deception intended to discourage and disconnect us from others.
So, how should we combat this adversary? We resist him, “by standing firm in the faith” (1 Peter 5:9) and putting on the “full armor of God.” (Ephesians 6:13)
We defend against attack by standing on the truth of God’s Word and the powerful name of Jesus. Our trust and faith in God shields us, while the Holy Spirit provides the counterattack.
A word of caution: don’t fight this enemy solo. In this battle, God wants us to rely on the help and prayer of others, too.
Indeed, adventurers who venture into the wilderness with others are statistically much less likely to be attacked by lions—a group always increases the chances of survival.
All this talk of predators sounds unsettling, but we won’t let it spoil our time in the wilderness. Nor we will let fear define our spiritual life.
The reason is because God is so much stronger than our enemy. Indeed, he will help us in our current battle and soon vanquish this enemy once and for all.
Until then, we must stand strong in the strength God gives—even while a lion still lurks. We won’t let this overgrown kitty spoil the joy of knowing God and seeking his will today.
Question:
In what ways have you become easy prey to the Devil lately? Or how might you be letting fear define your walk with God?
Prayer:
Lord, help me rely on your power and strength against spiritual attack. Teach me to be on guard and stand strong on your Word. Help me to remember to pray for others, too. Amen.
From one Adventurer to Another
Called to the Wild is a 40-day journey filled with thrilling adventure stories and poignant Biblical meditations, through which outdoor guide and Cru campus minister, Chris Lawrence, helps readers overcome fear and self-doubt by learning to follow Jesus as their trustworthy Guide through life’s every adventure.
