Lionfish

  

For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." Deuteronomy 20:4

When I start thinking about what I will write my next devotional on, I will sometimes use something that recently happened to me or something I saw and frequently I will use what I call “repetitive events.”  What that means is that if something either comes to mind several times or if I read or see something more than once I will explore that topic. 

You are now wondering why I am telling you this.  The reason I tell you this is because this is the way that God grabs my attention.  If you pay close attention to events or things in your life that repeat that is often the way that God speaks to us.  Now you are probably asking what does that have to do with lionfish?

This weekend I saw an article about lionfish on the internet.  Then on Sunday I was reading a book and it talked about lionfish.  When this happens I immediately write down the incident.  Mostly I write it down because if I don’t, before I realize it I forget. 

So I did some research on the lionfish.  I will give you a few fast facts about this particular fish.  They have few predators, they are poisonous to humans, they can multiply throughout the year, they will often spread their multiple fins and heard fish into a corner in order to prey on them.  They also blow a puff of water in front of other fish to disorient them. 

The lionfish reminded me of another predator in our lives.  Satan is the worst predator on the planet and we often don’t realize he is there.  Satan has few predators, he is poisonous to humans and he can disorient us and distract us from our purpose in life.  He is also invasive.  He can consume our lives without us realizing it and he can make things of this world look very attractive.  He draws us in and before we know it we are caught in his net.  I think about Satan this way.  If Jesus could be tempted by Satan and he was perfect in every way, how much more will we be affected by Satan as sinners. If we don’t have our God defenses up, Satan can stroll in and conquer. 

Prayer for the Day: Heavenly Father, I know Satan is roaming the earth daily looking for victims.  Please help us to put on your armor to protect us from the evil one.  Thank you for Your protection in our lives.  You are our best defense against Satan.

Scripture: Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’ Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’ Matthew 4:1-10