Resisting the Attack

As is my habit, I glanced out the bathroom window after I finished moving laundry from the washer to the dryer and spied the bluebird poking its head out of the bluebird box. Thinking that would make a great photo I slipped out the back door and around the side of the house in hopes of snapping her picture. What was I thinking? As soon as she saw movement in she ducked! I decided to give her a couple of minutes before giving up and heading back inside to the cool air. While I was standing there two buzzards caught my attention circling a few yards from my position. Having seen no more of the bluebird, and the thought that those buzzards might be eyeballing something near my front yard sent me over to see if I could see anything that would be of interest to them. Thankfully, I saw nothing!

When buzzards circle they are checking to see if it is safe and then they drop down to feast on the remains of some animal. When one buzzard drops down that is a signal to other buzzards nearby to come and join in the meal. The Lord used those buzzards to give me this devotion! I compare the buzzards to Satan who, as we know from the scripture in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be clear headed. Keep alert. Your accuser, the devil, is on the prowl like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (CEB) Like the buzzards, Satan circles around in search of someone to attack. I can imagine that many of his demons hang around nearby waiting for a signal to also dive down into the assault.

What can we do to protect against Satan’s attacks? By standing firm in the faith we can resist him. (1 Peter 5:9) We can also look at Hebrews 4:16 for encouragement which says, “Let us draw near to the throne of favor with confidence so that we can receive mercy and find grace when we need help.” There is no better illustration of what this looks like than Jesus himself. At the beginning of his earthly ministry, he had to resist the devil in the wilderness. Even though Jesus was God in flesh, he resisted Satan by submitting to the will of the Father and quoting Scripture. For us to think that we can resist the devil any other way is foolish!

Because Christ has already won the victory, we CAN resist the devil! Resisting is a daily spiritual battle; won’t you make this prayer part of your time with the Lord each and every day?

Lord Jesus, I thank you that you have already won the victory. Because of your death on the Cross, Satan’s fate has been sealed. Thank you for equipping and enabling me to resist the devil’s attacks. Thank you for your Word that can expose my own sinful desires and refute the lies of the Devil. Help me to stand firm, rooted in the faith, shielded by your armor, and dependent on your grace. Help me to resist the devil today. In the name of the one who crushed the head of the serpent, Amen. (www.crosswalk.com)