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There is a fascinating phenomenon happening in our area right not. I have never experienced something like this before. I think in part because I have always lived in a city. On almost a daily basis right now I am hearing about cougars being seen in town. Mountain lions. On the prowl. In town.

While on occasion I have seen a turkey, a pheasant, a fox, a rabbit, or even an occasional deer, I have only ever seen cougars in the zoo. I know they will be out in the country, I expect it. I prepare myself for that possibility there. But because the animals are not generally expected in such dense populations of people – this startles me. It is unexpected.

What is really interesting to me is the fact that my senses have become heightened with the knowledge of the threat of their presence. When I am out walking the dog in the morning, for instance, I am keeping my senses on a much higher sense of alert. While it is still dark in the morning walking Hannah out to the bus, again, my senses are heightened. Why? Because I am aware of the potential for danger and I want to be prepared if it happens to present itself in the form of a cougar.

This morning I realized that there is a spiritual connection here that I am afraid we are all too lax on. I am reminded to “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

Why is it that I am suddenly operating on a different sense of alert? I know that the threat is real. I know what a hungry lion is capable of. Friends, if the devil is out looking to devour us, are we not also made aware of the threat he presents to us? Should we not also be operating daily on a heightened state of awareness? Should we not be preparing ourselves? Readying ourselves against a potential attack?

How do we do this? The Bible talks about our spiritual armor. “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6: 11-16)

We have protection provided for us as armor, and we have been given one weapon to fight back with – the Word of God. We have got to prepare ourselves against attack by spending time in the Word. Hearing it. Reading it. Studying it. Meditating on it. Memorizing it. Applying it. If I choose to leave my weapon on a shelf in the house, it will do me very little good should I be attacked at other places or points in my day. Make no mistake: this cunning enemy is skilled at finding our weaknesses and attacking us there. We have got to be prepared.

We have to remember what God’s word says and what God has already done to ensure our victory.

“You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” (John 4:4)

“No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; and every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.” (Isaiah 54:17)

“In all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37)

“But the LORD is faithful, and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” (2 Thessalonians 3:3)

“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.” (Luke 10:19)

God fights for us. God is for us. He is protecting us. He sees each attack and stands ready. There is no power that can overtake Him. There is no threat that takes Him by surprise. God is faithful. God is with His people. We need to remember who we are and the power and protection available to us as His children.

We do not need to live in fear. We need only to prepare ourselves with the protection He has provided us with. It is enough.

Blessings!