This past week, between Christmas and New Years Day, I had the chance to do some ice fishing near Nisswa Minnesota. Most of the fish we catch are either sunfish which range in size from about 7 to 9 inches or northern pike which range from about 20 to 30 inches. Sunfish are fairly abundant and can keep us busy most of the day. Northern Pike come around less frequently and tend to scare the sunfish away because sunfish are a primary food source for northern pike. Northern pike are long and thin and can move through the water without much noticeable movement. The alert sunfish scatter before the northern is within striking distance. I have been able to observe this behavior for many years because the water is so clear I can see the fish from inside my fish house. Northern pike do not waste any energy chasing the alert fish. They seem to prey on those that have less regard for their presence.
This brings me to our scripture verse for today. I Peter 5:8 says, “Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” Satan’s tactics remind me of a northern pike with his roaming around looking for someone to devour. In the book of Job when the Lord asked Satan where he had come from he said, “From roaming the earth and going back and forth in it.”
I Peter reminds us to be self controlled and alert. Have you ever noticed when things in life are going well how easy it s to become complacent? We can be assured that Satan is not resting. We can also be assured that we, as Christians, have the power to overcome Satan’s attacks. Romans 8:38-39 reminds us of the following; “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present of the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord”.
May God bless you this new year.
In His Name,
Tom Caouette
Tom Caouette is the Chairman of the World Missions Committee.
