Tuesday, September 22, 2015
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Wow, they had my attention when the reporter started talking about a young woman being attacked by a lion in a game park in South Africa. See, I've been to a game park in South Africa where lions roam freely. And the lions were an issue.
My South African friend, Ted, was driving me through this massive game reserve during a break at the conference where I was speaking. It was winter at that time. The grass was tall. He said, "You'll see the big animals - but not the cats. Oh they'll be there - in the grass." I've got to tell you, it was amazing to drive behind two slow-moving giraffes and ostriches. We didn't try to pass. We got behind some zebras.
I'll never forget the once-in-a-lifetime sight of 30 elephants all ages and sizes. They were having a family meeting right next to the road. For the first time since we entered the park, I started to get out of the car to take pictures.
My friend made one comment: "I'll watch your back." When I asked him what he meant, he said, "Well, there have been four tourists mauled to death by lions in the past few months." You know, it's surprising what great pictures you can get through the window of a car!!! I nearly lost my head ducking back into the car!
Sadly, the young woman who was mauled to death hadn't even gotten out of the car. She just had her window rolled down. But a lioness, with her cubs nearby, leaped through the window to attack. I thought about Ted's "watch your back" and how that lion killed that woman and only needed an open window.
I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "The Lion That Stalks Us All."
Our word for today from the Word of God comes from 1 Peter 5:8. Here's a sobering picture from the Bible; a picture of the clear and present danger all of us humans face from the lion from hell. It says, "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour." And then there's this "watch your back" warning from God in Ephesians 4:27, "Do not give the devil a foothold."
The devil doesn't mind if people don't take him seriously. In fact, he prefers it so he can do deadly damage before we ever realize what's happening. And it only takes one open window for your spiritual enemy to get in, and he pounces on your carelessness.
That one click to check out that website. The one night with friends who bring you down. The extended time alone with that person you have feelings for. That first thought of leaving your marriage. It doesn't take much. One dark secret. One "white lie." Bitterness that you bury. A small compromise. A little gossip. An innocent "flirtation". Those angry, wounding words. Devilish opportunities, that's what they are; open windows to tragedy.
The lion from hell only needs an opening to ultimately destroy a life, a reputation, a marriage, a future. He never tells you where this little detour will take you. If you knew, you would keep the window closed. The Bible says, "Desire, when it has conceived, "gives birth to sin. And sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death" (James 1:15).
The lion is strong but I am not defenseless. My Savior is stronger. The Bible says Jesus is "the someone stronger who attacks and overpowers" the enemy of our soul (Luke 11:22). He did, in fact in the Bible's words, "triumph" over all the forces of darkness "by His cross" (Colossians 2:15).
When He is invited into a life, He brings all the power that raised Him from the dead. He is the death-beater - the "lion tamer" - because He offered up His life to pay for human sin and break its hold.
I don't know if you've ever taken for yourself what He died to give you, and to give you finally power over all the forces of darkness around you and in you. You can do that today. Say, "Jesus, I'm yours." You want to know more about how that happens, go to our website ANewStory.com. Or text us at 442-244-WORD.
See, when the devil comes knocking, you send Jesus to the door and you keep your windows closed.