1 Peter 5:8-9a – Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith. (NIV)

Early one morning, the barking of my neighbour's dog awakened me. I soon realized that the bark wasn't the one that Dessie used to welcome his owners when they returned home, or even the one that he used to warn his owners of the arrival of a visitor. Dessie's persistent bark, with its urgent, penetrating tone, caused me to look out the window to see if I could discover what was worrying him.

Below the house, a coyote edged its way through the tall grass, stalking the dog, seeking what it might devour. Fortunately, the dog was alert to the danger, and the coyote didn't succeed in its obvious intent. But the incident reminded me of the warning to Christians found in today's Scripture. Peter urges us to stay alert, and he warns us that our enemy, the devil, is prowling around like a roaring lion, seeking to devour the Christian. We are to resist him, and to stand firm in the faith.

Prayer: Dear God, remind us that we are in a spiritual battle, and that we need to be alert to the tactics of our enemy, the devil. Remind us that You are with us, and that You will help us to stand with confidence, and with commitment to our Christian calling. Amen.

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About the author:

Elaine Ingalls Hogg <authorhogg@yahoo.ca>
Smiths Creek, New Brunswick, Canada
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