The Unseen Predator
Recently, I was out at my chicken coop checking my birds… well, the ones I have left… and a thought popped into my brain. Before I get to that, let me give you a rundown of past events. Within the last couple of weeks, we have had one bird massacre after another. Where I live we have wild animals cross our field every day; deer, turkeys, coyotes, the occasional bobcat, foxes, raccoons, opossums, even stray dogs, and the infrequent small predators which we have yet to see, but know they exist.
What has me bothered is, after losing around thirty chickens earlier in the spring (which were giving me several dozen eggs a day), then working very hard to hatch two new batches of chicks, growing my flock to around sixty birds, I have lost nearly all of them once again. All because of a predator I can’t see, nor catch.
Now, this is the thought that popped into my brain; I have a predator I can’t see.
Instantly, I realize, this is how the enemy of our soul (the devil) is! He is a predator we can’t see. However, though the predator killing my chickens is tough to catch, it will eventually be caught and dealt with accordingly. On the other hand, the devil has already been defeated – he’s just being a nuisance.
Another difference in these predators is, while the unknown chicken killer is actually killing my flock, the devil can’t kill me. In truth, he can’t kill you, either. All he can do is mess with you and make you miserable. And since he can’t kill us, he works very hard to make us so miserable we will do what he can’t – kill ourselves.
Beloved, that in itself is the scariest thing to pop into my head. Why? Because many years ago, I almost listened… and every day, there are others who do, which breaks my heart.
Thank God for rescuing me!
Maybe you can identify with what I’m saying. Maybe you’re in that state right now. Please let me encourage you today. Jesus is our Rescuer! And while it may seem far-fetched, or a lost cause, to even think you can be rescued out of depression, anxiety, abuse, bad choices, or whatever it is you, or someone you love, is going through, what I’m telling you is the truth.
Jesus loves you. He came to rescue you. He came to free you. He came to save you. He came to heal you. Why? Because He loves you!
In John 10:9-10, out of the Amplified Bible, Jesus says, “I am the Door; anyone who enters through Me will be saved [and will live forever], and will go in and out [freely], and find pasture (spiritual security). The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].” (emphasis is mine).
Jesus came to give us an abundant, and enjoyable, life. Here. Now. For eternity. The devil, though defeated by Jesus, still stalks us, trying to steal our joy and our dreams, trying to kill our health, happiness, and desires, and trying to destroy our relationships, ministry, and promises. But he can’t. That is, he can’t unless we allow him to. He whispers lies into our ears, places ugly thoughts in our brains, and even uses and manipulates other people into saying and doing even uglier things to us.
It amazes me that it took losing most of my chickens to an unknown predator to realize the devil is trying to do the same thing to me! Yes, it bothers me. But, I have the weapons and the authority to come against my predator and defeat him. Jesus gave me all that, and more, when I trusted Him as my Lord and Savior. I learned to use it when He healed me. And you can do the very same thing.
Now, that should excite you!!
Maybe you’re wondering exactly how to defeat this enemy. It’s very simple. Open your mouth and tell him it’s over. Speak the words out of your mouth. Recite God’s Word out loud, then watch as the enemy backs off.
Word of caution, though: it may get worse before it gets better. But don’t give up.
Really, when you come against an enemy, of course they will resist at first. But seriously, we have already been declared victorious. More than victorious! It’s very important that we stand our ground and don’t move. Don’t back down.
I’m leaving you with some of God’s Word today, to begin advancing upon the enemy. Remember, put on your armor first. Then, go to battle knowing you have already won! Regardless of what you’re up against, YOU HAVE WON! You simply must remind the enemy, the predator, that he already lost.
We set traps for the physical predators killing our chickens. We speak God’s Word out loud to remind our spiritual predator he has no power over us. He is defeated, in Jesus’ name!!
Be blessed, lovely ones!
**Click the link below for a free download of Scriptures to defeat your predator!**
