The Hidden Enemy in Plain Sight
A couple weeks ago my husband and I were enjoying a day of yard work. I suppose for some that statement is a little strange. When I share with people that we have purchased a home on two and a half acres the response from the majority of them is, “That’s a lot of work!” That tells me who really knows me and who does not. For my husband and I, every time we step outside or pull into our driveway there is a reason to rejoice. For over twenty years we believed God for our acreage. What some would call work is actually therapy for us. My husband loves to sit on his new zero turn radius mower and mow. He says it’s a great time to just pray and think. I have been busy planting containers of flowers for our back patio and laying out a front corner of our lot for a new flower bed. On this particular day I decided to clean up some landscaping along the east end of our house. There are holly, euonymus, and nandina shrubs that were extremely over grown and leggy. My mind was a million miles away as I happily trimmed and weeded. I could see that the previous owner had cut back a vine that grew up the side of the house. I noticed that it was attempting to attach itself to the house once more. So, I took out my pruners and started cutting. When I’d finished I scooped all the cuttings and pulled weeds in my arms and carried them to a refuse pile. That night I noticed that both my forearms were red and irritated. By the next day I had full blown oozing blisters covering both arms and itching like crazy. I soon developed a fever and had a upset stomach. If you hadn’t guessed, the vine crawling up my house was poison ivy. How does someone who has been gardening for 30+ years do something so foolish? The answer is quite simple. I was not looking for poison ivy because I have never had it. Maybe I even thought I was immune.
“A man’s pride and sense of self-importance will bring him down, But he who has a humble spirit will obtain honor” Proverbs 29:23
I have had times in my christian walk when I thought I could take on the world. I read God’s Word everyday and prayed over my family. I felt like my spiritual arsenal was full, locked and loaded..the enemy didn’t stand a chance. However, I found out the hard way that I wasn’t guarding my heart and my mind. I spent all kinds of time reading and praying but I never stopped to listen for my Heavenly Father’s voice. I ended up much like the sports team that is a two score pick to win the championship. The news media describes their opponent as inferior, not as talented, etc. Then the day of the big day comes and the favorite team can not do one thing right. They fumble the ball, miscommunicate plays and commit penalties that they have never had problems with before. They have played the game thousands of times and yet they are flat, off their game, and they loose miserably. What happened? It was a lack of focus and pride. When we think, “I know so much that nothing can stop me” we will find ourselves in a dangerous place.We go through all the right motions, but, forget the power source is the revelation of God’s Word through His Holy Spirit. Knowledge that is merely in our head but not in our heart and spirit is powerless. It is useless without faith.
Some of us find ourselves on the opposite side of the coin. There is no space in our daily lives for time alone with God. Life happens. Life is…busy. “I’ll get to it next week, but this week My job is…My health is…My children are…or, it’s My vacation. We rely solely on our church attendance on Sunday, (if there isn’t a soccer game.) We listen to a podcast and say, “That’ll do.”
The reality is…it most certainly will not. Have you ever watched a nature show on television? Who is it that the predator picks out to have for his dinner? It’s the weak, the isolated, and the one who is not paying attention to their surroundings.
“Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8
We live in troubling times, my friends. Our enemy is very real. He is crafty, sneaky, and he will never fight fair. He is in plain sight all around us. But, we are too distracted by our day to day lives to recognize him. That’s when he will pounce. Sickness, job loss, relationship issues, or tragedy takes us down like defenseless prey. We find ourselves scrambling for help, strength, and some ray of hope.
I have good news; we have been given everything we need to put the enemy under our feet where he belongs. My favorite verse in all the Bible is Colossians 2:15 in The Message translation:“He stripped all the spiritual tyrants in the universe of their sham authority at the Cross and marched them naked through the streets.” Contrast that with the full armor of God described in Ephesians 6:13-15: “Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.”
Whatever you are facing today there is a promise of victory. It’s a total and complete victory that is only found in God’s Word. Dig into it. Speak God’s Word. Stand in the bold confidence of God’s grace and strength. We have the ability to overcome anything because Jesus has already won. He loves you just as you are. You are not a surprise, an accident, or a mistake. He made you. He has crafted you perfectly for a mission that only you can do. Search it out. How? Time. Time with Him, in His Word…but don’t stop there…listen. Turn off the noise in your head and listen.
“And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper.”1 Kings 19:12
Your Heavenly Father will not shout at you. He doesn’t have to because He is right beside you. Shhh….listen…can you hear Him?…
“My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” Psalm 27:8 (NLT)