by Victoria Heinecke

Always keep watch.

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

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9a New International Version

When a cat is preying upon a bird or rodent, it approaches the animal slowly and quietly. Gazing intently, it wiggles and twitches as it anticipates a successful capture. Sometimes the cat catches its prey, and it can spend hours playing with it, tormenting the animal until it escapes or dies.

Cats are among a small number of species that will hunt for sport as well as food. When their prey dies, they’ll abandon it, and look for another animal to play with.

This statue in downtown Colorado Springs is of a cat that appears disinterested in the bird standing next to it. Instead, its gaze is towards passers-by, with an almost serene grin. The bird seems to be unaware of the cat’s presence.

The devil continually prowls through our lives. Much of our life can go smoothly. We think the devil isn’t interested in us, and we’re not aware of his very real presence … until we’re snared by temptation. The devil will toy with us, sometimes for years, as we bargain and deny and negotiate through our problems.

When we give our troubles over to God, he strengthens us to resist the devil’s ways. It’s not always a happy ending, getting through the sin, and we do not always escape unscathed.

Yet God never, ever gives up on us.

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
1 Peter 5:7-9 New International Version

The Lord more than just cares for you. He loves you. You are his delight!

“He rescued me from my powerful enemy…
He brought me out into a spacious place;
    he rescued me because he delighted in me.”
Psalm 18:17a,19 New International Version

Whatever your trials and temptations, call upon God. He will rescue you and surround you in his loving arms.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado