“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”  2 Peter 5:8 NIV

Escaping to the pines in the heat of the summer is very popular in our hot summer desert climate.  The cool temperatures are ideal to get outdoors and enjoy the beauty of the area. It is not uncommon to see a large variety of wildlife; deer, antelope, raccoons, bears, eagles.

We recently rented a cabin in this ideal area to enjoy the 40 degree difference.  The little town high in the mountains sits at the end of the road. Cabins spider out from Main Street in the slow sleepy town. People walk along the road to get to the fishing hole or to the couple of restaurants in town.  It’s just a laid back easy going town with a lot of character.

As we explored the area around our cabin we saw that the trash cans had large teeth marks in them and then later found a bear track.  We saw the signs and knew he had to be near but we couldn’t see him.  We took precautions at night to make sure there was no food left out and the trash cans were secure.  The porch lights were on until bedtime.  Anything that we could do to discourage the beast that left its mark was going to be done.

 

 

Isn’t the devil like that, he leaves his marks all over for us to see.  His carnage.  Are we able to truly see and recognize his mark on this world?  Do we ignore the signs that he is near?  Are we frightened enough to take precautions from being devoured?

In Job, Satan was in the presence of God with the angels.  “The Lord said to Satan, ‘Where have you come from?’ Satan answered the Lord, ‘From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it.’” (Job 1:7 NIV)

Don’t be deceived, he is near. If you are unaware or unable to see Satan’s marks, study the Word of God and discover his tactics.  Then they will be as obvious as the bear tracks left for us to see.

Satan lurks… are you prepared?

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your Word that paints a picture of Satan so that our eyes are open to his ways.  Help us to recognize where he is and to use precautions to avoid his traps.  In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

For Today:  Where do you recognize Satan’s marks?  What precautions are you setting up in your life to keep from being devoured?