The Sneaky Snake

The Sneaky Snake

July 21, 2008

By Randy L. Bailey

My wife and I have been enjoying the lovely weather here in Georgia, especially at night when the sun sets behind the horizon and the cool air settles in. We are blessed with a home that has a large covered front porch with comfortable rockers that welcomes us to sit while enjoying the cool weather. About a week ago, we noticed some green tree frogs making their home on the porch and enjoying the “all you can eat bug buffet.” Each evening my wife and I watched them as they stuffed themselves with a variety of insects that our porch has to offer. I am always fascinated with God's handiwork and enjoyed watching these nine frogs gobble up the tiny insects for dinner.

Last night I walked out on the porch to see how the frogs were doing when a new visitor caught my eye. It was a snake that climbed up the porch column. This snake was clever. He was lurking in the shadows away from the porch light so he could not be detected. I had to think fast or little Kermit would be an appetizer for the predator that was trespassing on my porch. I grabbed a decking board left over from a recent project and took aim. With one quick thrust of the board and a loud thud, it was over. Yes, you guessed it: I missed the snake and he was out of sight before I knew it.

The same holds true in the spiritual realm. We also have a spiritual predator that sneaks up on us. The devil is always on the prowl for Christians. He is quick, crafty, and patient. Many unsuspecting believers have fallen in his trap and have been wounded by him when they wander away from the light. Satan can attack us when we forget to put on the armor of God, when we rush out of our homes to work or school and forget to pray, and when we stray off the path of the righteous into the fields of the world.

God has always showed me things through everyday examples. As I thought about the unwelcome guest on our porch, I was reminded that the snake was on the scene in the Garden of Eden. There mankind disobeyed the voice of the Lord and fell into temptation. Satan still works the same way. He wants our eyes off of Jesus long enough to cause us to stumble, to give him audience just long enough to inject his venom of lies into our hearts, and, if possible, to have us question one thing in the word of God where doubt has the chance to root in our mind. No wonder we are warned to be diligent concerning the Word: “But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul” (Joshua 22:5). I love how this passage instructs us to cleave unto Him. Just as a child clings unto his father where they feel safe and secure, we too can be protected when we stay close to our heavenly Father.

God has given us authority over the enemy and we don't need to be intimidated by him. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to read the word of God each day and make time in your life for prayer. We all are faced with a multitude of snares each day. If you live for Christ, warfare is not optional. God has given us what we need to be victorious, and it is up to us to use the required equipment for battle.

ninetyandnine.com

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Randy Bailey has been writing spiritual poems/devotions for the past eight years. Randy has one wife and three sons. Richard, Ryan, and Rodney are grown and on their own while Randy and Peggy live in Georgia. Randy and Peggy attend the First United Pentecostal Church of Warner Robins. Randy has recently had his book Spiritual Snacks published, and it is available at www.Amazon.com (plug). Randy loves to throw the seed through his writings.