"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy; I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10
There was this time in my life when I was married to a gun-slinging, over-all wearing, night-stalking, poultry farmer...not by choice, but by chance. Chance that we just so happen to live on the farm with my parents, and Dana, being the only other male besides daddy that knew how to handle a rifle and owned a stomach for hunting cat. There was always a huge problem with wild feline invasions attacking the chickens during different seasons of the farming operations. They were very clever and destructive in maneuvering themselves to getting inside the houses to begin their demolition.
Pop and Dana were a modern day Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid when it came to clearing the poultry houses of these wild animals. All Butch (Pop) would have to do is come to our back door (most always at night), knock softly once and the Kid (Dana) knew he was being summoned to grab his gear and meet in the 'chicken yard' ready to make a plan of ambush on these trespassers.
I always dreaded hearing the tap on the door (knowing what was about to go down) but knew it was necessary for the health and well-being of the innocent chicks scratching around and having hen parties. With each life taken by one of these prowlers sneaking about with unlawful intentions, it took profit out of the pocket of my farmer parents. It was a picture of true grit in fighting for what is yours; keeping the evil out at any price.
I, never being a cat lover but hating the thought of what was taking place, would try and make friends with them by day. The boys (babies at the time) and myself did everything we could to bring them out and tame them so that we could teach them to stay out of where they were not welcomed. To no avail, they wanted nothing to do with us and continued with their nightly pursuits being faced with the wrong end of a rifle-barrel or the backside of a feed scoop.
I am so thankful I serve a God that goes before me and behind me. He seeks out the evil and those that want to harm me. He instills in me a conscious that leads me if I listen and heed to His warnings, which is the Holy Spirit.
"You, Lord, will guard us; you will protect us from this generation forever. The wicked prowl all around, and what is worthless is exalted by the human race." (Ps. 12:7,8)
The evil one seeks to destroy you. He will use every vice to bring you down. He is cunning and smart. We cannot allow him any access into our lives; our mind, our home, our marriage. We have to stand strong and be alert; he doesn't give up easily and we cannot think that we can deal with him.
"But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one."
(2 Thess. 3:3)
"Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong." (1 Cor. 16:13)
So let's be ready to fight the good fight day or night, knowing what we are facing and having a clear mind and steady hand to aim at what lurks in the darkness or in the shadows of our lives, willing to stand boldly beside the One who will ultimately go to battle for us.
I love you & He loves you more!
Lord, You are the Light that shines in the darkness. We are never alone. Thank You for filling Your Word with encouragement and reminders of Your perfect care for us. Help us to see and be alert to any sin we allow to stick around in our lives, knowing that nothing good can come from it but only from You. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Originally posted on 4/15/2020