On Monday morning I woke up feeling much better after almost two weeks of flu.  Husband had left to volunteer at a food pantry so I decided to take a walk in the snowy woods behind our house.  It was before eight o’clock in the morning and I was reveling in walking alone in a winter wonderland among snow-covered trees.   I was contentedly strolling along, feeling like a child again home in Pennsylvania in the long snows.  What a delight!  Two groups of talkative geese flew overhead.  Beauty was everywhere I looked.  

However, one sight turned me around and headed me for home even tho I hadn’t gotten to my destination higher up in the woods.  My eyes fell on a set of tracks.  I could see that the tracks were very recent because altho it was snowing, there was no snow on top of the tracks.  The tracks indicated that a large animal had been coming down the trail I was walking up when it veered off the trail.  It didn’t take me long to decide to turn around and head straight for home.  I had no desire to meet the owner of those large tracks.   I shuddered as I thought about the size of the cougar that made them.   But I didn’t turn around and run.  I turned with purpose and deliberately and unhurriedly walked back the way I had come.  I cast a few glances behind me after I was out into the open.  It was a relief to see that I was alone.    

I make it a habit to watch the ground for tracks because I know there are wild animals in our area.  Usually, I’m with dear Husband and it’s unlikely that a bear or cougar would attack two adults.  Besides, all I ever see are deer tracks.  But being alone this morning made me more cautious.  And the snow made it easy to spot tracks.  All this brought to mind that Scripture tells us to be alert for our spiritual enemy.  

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.  Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.”  1 Peter 5:8-9

Let me point out that there is a difference between healthy respect and crippling fear.  I want to be like young David who faced the giant depending on his Rescuer.  David knew the strength of his enemy, but he didn’t cower.  He knew where his protection came from.

“The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” 1 Samuel 17:37

Our spiritual enemy does have power, but only within the confines of God’s almighty rule.  Satan is a defeated enemy.  He has no control over us.  He doesn’t own us because Jesus bought us for God at the high price of his own blood. 

“He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.”  Ephesians 1:7

“For you (Jesus) were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.” Revelation 5:9

I had just gotten safely back to our yard when the neighbors’ happy lab greeted me exuberantly.  Leaping and twirling, it was clear he loves the snow.  But my first thought was, “I wish you would have been with me on the trail.  Where were you when I needed you?”  Dogs, friends, and family may all let us down.  But there is never a time when Jesus isn’t there for us.  Through the big and little scares.  Through happiness and grief.  We have instant access.

“‘I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.’  And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house,  let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean…Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.”  Hebrews 10:17 (quoting Jeremiah 31;34),22,23 

Now you may be wondering how to recognize the enemy’s attacks.  I think he is often like that cougar.  He’s sneaky.  He whispers thoughts of discouragement.  Here’s what my attacks sounded like this week:  “What?! You have chills and fever again?!  Why did you go outside before you were completely well?  You’re never going to get better.  How can the flu last over two weeks?   You’re worthless.  You’re not being a good wife.  You’re not even taking care of your poor husband who doesn’t feel that good either.   Oh, and BTW, don’t bother eating.  Food doesn’t taste good anyway.  I thought you wanted to lose weight.  This would be a great way to get skinny.”  I immediately recognize his negative, dismal talk because it doesn’t take God into the equation.  These thoughts are meant to take me down, but I don’t listen.  I push them aside and affirm my faith.  “I belong to God.  He is with me.  He is for me.  He can use anything for good.  Suffering is never wasted.  What can I do to focus on others and use this time for a positive outcome?  What are some things I can be thankful for right now?  I’ll ask for help when I need it.”

Other times our enemy is a roaring lion.  He frightens us with his power. He tries to win by intimidation.  The death of a loved one, a bad diagnosis.  But we can choose to run to our Rescuer.  We belong to the One who is the greatest power in the universe.  Our Master is the victor in every battle.  And one day we will ride in honor and power with him to watch him win the last battle.

“Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war…The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses…Then I saw the beast and the kings of the world and their armies gathered together to fight against the one sitting on the horse and his army. And the beast was captured… Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. ” Revelation 19:11,14,19; Revelation 20:10

So even tho I keep my eyes open for my enemy, I don’t fear him.  He has no hold on me.  I belong to God.  I was bought and paid for.  Adopted.

“We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son,  who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.”  Colossians 1:11-14