by Rev Douglas Brauner

The importance of being alert.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8
English Standard Version

We were told that there were no rattlesnakes in Colorado Springs when we moved here in 1999. What I remember is someone telling us that they didn’t live at this altitude. For those of you who don’t know, Colorado Springs is at over 6,000 feet elevation. I have since discovered that there are plenty of snakes who not only survive at altitude, but they thrive.

Ute Valley Park, Colorado Springs, Colorado

This picture was taken at Ute Valley Park, a park where my oldest son has seen a rattlesnake. I have looked at this picture of scrub oak leaves and wondered if there was a rattlesnake head peeking out at me. You see, when I returned home from this photo adventure I found out that a woman had been bitten by a snake only four days earlier.

Peter does not describe the devil as a snake (though that image does appear in the Bible). He depicts him as a roaring lion looking for someone to consume. We are that someone. The devil desires to devour us, to lead us away from the mercy of God in Christ. The devil doesn’t care if we believe he exists or not. In fact, he would love for us to debate his existence. What he wants is for us to turn our backs on Jesus.

It would be a mistake for me to ignore the fact that snakes exist in Ute Valley Park. In fact, I’m actually looking for them when I hike. With as much time as I spend on trails in Colorado Springs, it is only a matter of time before I have an encounter with a snake. If I’m aware of my surroundings, this shouldn’t be a problem.

We will encounter the devil’s schemes, but being watchful means that we will not be caught off guard. Besides, God will provide a way out when we face temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado