“Be Watchful and Alert”
Kate the beautiful, yet vigilant, powerhouse of a watch dog caught my attention early one morning as I was preparing coffee. I heard her barking very excitedly and forcefully. I looked out and saw her standing on her dog igloo. She was facing the east and she had the other dogs up, they too were just as excited and sounding the alarm.
I took my furry sentinel's cue and went to the front door. As I opened it and squinted through the bright glare of the morning's sun, I saw in the meadow the two Great Pyrenees' that belong to the neighboring farm playing and frolicking with, of all things, a coyote! All three just bounding about and playing tag in our pasture.
Now I'm thinking, and I'm pretty sure, that our neighbor bought those dogs to protect his farm and livestock from predators such as this, yet these two traitors were entertaining and enjoying the company of this enemy.
Now if these were my dogs, they and I would be having us a serious 'Come to Jesus meeting ' as to what exactly their job description was to do on the farm!
A watch dog's job is to watch for the enemy such as coyotes, cougars and other predators, making the livestock safe from attacks from creatures such as these. The last thing a farmer wants to see is his furry help inviting the enemy into the fold to play.
I watched them carry on for several minutes until the coyote and the dogs went separate ways and it made me think. Sometimes we behave the same way. We let our guard down and allow the enemy to enter into our thoughts and lives too.
The enemy in our case is the devil. He has a plan for our lives, and that plan is identified in 1 Peter 5: 8-9, "Be careful! Watch out for the attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. Take a firm stand against him and be strong in your faith.”
God calls us to be alert. He wants us to be aware of the devil's purpose which is (John 10: 10) "to steal, kill and destroy.” He wants to keep us from the joy of living in a meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord.
The devil enters our lives innocently at first, gaining a foothold, most times through what we choose for entertainment and play (the neighbors dogs were just playing). We let the enemy in to steal us through our games, television, music and activities. When we let these take the place of and become more important to us than our relationship with Christ Jesus, then these have become our idols and we have let the enemy in.
As Kate the guard dog was alert and watchful of the enemy, let us be alert and watchful — keeping our eyes on Jesus. In James 4: 7 - "So humble yourselves before God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you.” Be on your guard for the enemy, like Kate the guard dog.
Dear God, help us to be on guard, to draw close to You, to be alert, and to be strong in our faith. In Jesus name. Amen
God Bless