http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter+5:8&version=NASB
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=EPh%206:10-17&version=NASB
This past weekend 16-year-old Evan Van Der Spuy, was competing in a weekend bicycle race. Along with 350 other cyclists. This, in of itself, doesn’t make it more special than any other mountain bike race. Except for the fact that this particular race was being held in eastern South Africa. Through a game reserve.
Unfortunately, as Van Der Spuy was riding across a section of the trail a 350 lb hartebeest buck (a type of antelope) came flying out of nowhere, knocking Van Der Spuy completely off his bicycle. Apparently the buck was being a little territorial. He didn’t like bikers invading his space. So he decided to take it out on Van Der Spuy. I don’t know if Van Der Spuy was able to finish the race or not? At the end of the video you can see that his helmet was pretty much trashed. One account I read said that Van Der Spuy was briefly knocked unconscious and spent the night in a local hospital for observation. What really made this experience unique is that it was caught on video. Apparently the rider behind Van Der Spuy had a camera on his helmet and caught the whole incident on tape. Boy, what a hartebeest will do to get on camera! Note to self = be careful when you bike through a game reserve!
In a way, Satan is just like this hartebeest. Whenever we, as Christians, begin to invade his territory, watch out! When we least expect it, he will blindside us. He will try to knock us off our feet. Get us off our game. Satan doesn’t like us witnessing to unsaved friends and relatives. He doesn’t like Christians who are trying to be a light at work. Or at school. He doesn’t like missionaries and nationals who are trying to reach people in remote parts of the earth where there is little, if any, Christian presence. So Satan tries to intimidate us. To give us a good lick in the hope that we'll run away scared. That we'll quit witnessing. That we'll leave the lost still in his control.
Unfortunately, as Van Der Spuy was riding across a section of the trail a 350 lb hartebeest buck (a type of antelope) came flying out of nowhere, knocking Van Der Spuy completely off his bicycle. Apparently the buck was being a little territorial. He didn’t like bikers invading his space. So he decided to take it out on Van Der Spuy. I don’t know if Van Der Spuy was able to finish the race or not? At the end of the video you can see that his helmet was pretty much trashed. One account I read said that Van Der Spuy was briefly knocked unconscious and spent the night in a local hospital for observation. What really made this experience unique is that it was caught on video. Apparently the rider behind Van Der Spuy had a camera on his helmet and caught the whole incident on tape. Boy, what a hartebeest will do to get on camera! Note to self = be careful when you bike through a game reserve!
In a way, Satan is just like this hartebeest. Whenever we, as Christians, begin to invade his territory, watch out! When we least expect it, he will blindside us. He will try to knock us off our feet. Get us off our game. Satan doesn’t like us witnessing to unsaved friends and relatives. He doesn’t like Christians who are trying to be a light at work. Or at school. He doesn’t like missionaries and nationals who are trying to reach people in remote parts of the earth where there is little, if any, Christian presence. So Satan tries to intimidate us. To give us a good lick in the hope that we'll run away scared. That we'll quit witnessing. That we'll leave the lost still in his control.
But Scripture tells us that Satan in a defeated foe. Jesus defeated him on the cross. Satan may try to intimidate us but he can't do any real damage. We will persevere. We will get right back up and finish the work that Jesus gave us to do. The light of His glory will shine in the darkness.
Lord, as I do Your will, help me to be on the lookout for Satan. While I am no match for him, You are. Help me to put on the whole armor of God each day so that I can successfully stand against his assaults. So that You can lead me on to victory. In Jesus' name, Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment