The unexpectedly cool summer weather was perfect for an evening bike ride. But, only one block from home, things became not so perfect. A lady on the sidewalk was yelling at her Chihuahua to come out of the street just as I passed by. Instead of obeying, the little dog ran after me, barking ferociously.
I panicked and began pedaling as fast as I could to get away from the tiny white menace, drifting to the wrong side of the road and across an intersection without much time to think about where I was going. The dog followed me to the end of the block, until I rode off the street and up onto the sidewalk, where I narrowly missed hitting a startled elderly lady who was
tending to her flowers. Two blocks later, with my heart
pounding in my chest, I thought I could still hear the Chihuahua barking angrily.
We have an enemy who chases us relentlessly. The Bible says that the devil is like a lion looking for someone to devour. He is always after us, like a growling dog snapping at our heels. If we don’t resist him, the consequences will bite.
I wonder what would have happened if I would have stood my ground and not pedaled away in fear from the Chihuahua. Would it have turned to flee from me instead? After all, I’m so much bigger. And our God is so much bigger than anything that Satan can put in our path. When we submit ourselves to God through faith in the Lord Jesus, who paid the price for our sins, He gives us strength to stand against the devil’s schemes. Satan may act like a lion, but he’s really a puny Chihuahua compared to God’s mighty power! • Marie Cleveland
• When faced with temptation, you have three options: give in to it, flee from it (1 Corinthians 6:18; 2 Timothy 2:22), or fight against it. Which do you most often do?
• Read 1 Corinthians 10:13. Think about the last time you were tempted to sin. How did God provide a way out for you? Did you take it? Why or why not?
• How can you be strong enough to stand firm and resist the devil’s plans for you (Ephesians 6:10-18)?
Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 (CSB)
Read Verses:
Habakkuk 1:2-11
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