Alert to Danger
I looked out the kitchen window this morning expecting to see the hummingbird sitting on his perch. Instead, a small oak snake was curled around the wire of the pole that we had fashioned for the hummingbirds. His camouflage made him almost invisible. He was set to catch a meal.
This wasn’t the first appearance of this snake. We had already removed him from another hummingbird feeder twice during the previous week. Each time, my husband caught him and carried him far out into the woods behind the house and released him, thinking he would go on his way. After the second episode, we moved the feeder to further discourage him. Evidently, though, he is persistent, and his tastebuds are set on hummingbird.
This morning, my husband once again removed him and took him to another location, farther away this time. I know we could kill him, but oak snakes are helpful to the environment. We just don’t want this one to bother the hummingbirds.
After the excitement of the morning, the hummingbird returned to his perch. He must have been watching, alert to the danger.
This whole episode has me thinking of the verse in I Peter.
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (I Peter 5:8, KJV).
We have an enemy who is stalking us each day. He knows our haunts and our habits, and just like that oak snake, he is ready to devour. His devouring may not be physical, but spiritual devastation is even more debilitating. He is out to ruin lives and destroy families if we are not vigilant and living according to God’s word.
Our hummingbirds kept watch. Not once did they light on the feeders when Leroy (my husband named him) was nearby. They waited until he had been dispatched before returning to their feeding schedule.
As long as the hummingbirds are around, Leroy is likely to return. While we are here on this Earth, Satan will continue to roar and tempt God’s children. The hummingbirds cannot defeat Leroy in their own strength, and we cannot defeat Satan in ours. We must depend on and abide in our Lord. God help us to be alert and stand firm, so that we will not fall to Satan's tricks. This will require daily time with the Father, wisdom from the Holy Spirit, and the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10 – 18).
“Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11, KJV).
Father, there are many traps in the world waiting to trip up Christians just like Leroy the snake waits to devour our hummingbirds. The pitfalls are camouflaged and not easily discouraged. Give me eyes to see, Lord. Give me wisdom to discern what is right and good. Give me a heart that listens to the promptings of Your Holy Spirit and keep me alert in this world where spiritual danger lurks. You are faithful, and I have confidence in Your ability to keep me, Lord. I love You. In Jesus’ name I pray.
Note to Reader: We continue to remove Leroy almost daily. He finds new ways to pose and new places to perch thinking he will finally manage to snag a hummingbird snack. God uses him gently remind me to guard my heart.
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