Be Prayerful, Not Prey
November 3rd, 2020(Day 2 in our Election Week 2020 Encouragement series)
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)
This day has finally arrived … it’s Election Day. Notwithstanding early voting, this is the day that Americans freely choose their elected representatives and leaders. Untold amounts of dollars and hours have led up to today’s event. Many are anxious as votes are cast and the results are only hours away. Are you on the edge of your seat? Nervous? Uneasy? Troubled? After all, our future is on the line, right? WRONG! Our future is secure in God’s hands. As a matter of fact, He wrote your and my future before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4). We find peace and rest in the glorious truth of God’s complete and sovereign control over all things. So, take a deep breath … God’s got this (because He has already pre-determined it)!
Now, with this assurance in mind, let’s also remember that there is an enemy who is nevertheless on the prowl “like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). This imagery is dark and pictures the viciousness of this hunter-enemy pursuing his prey. Scripture contains many accounts of Satan attacking believers – Job (Job 1-2); Peter (Luke 22:31-34, 54-62); Paul (2 Cor. 12:7-10); and some of the church members in Smyrna (Rev. 2:10) and in Thyatira (Rev. 2:18-24).
Further, note that the word “devour” doesn’t mean just to hurt or maim, but to completely destroy, literally to gulp down. Satan seeks to devour believers by using various approaches:
- attacking the church (i.e. leaders, members, and church unity)
- attacking marriages and families
- attacking through the sinful and alluring world system (“For all that is the world – the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions – is not from the Father but is from the world.” 1 John 2:16)
- attacking believers directly (see examples from Scripture in previous paragraph)
Could it be that in this season of our history where times are full of cultural revolution and political unrest, the enemy is sowing seeds of fear and uncertainty in our minds? Is Satan slowly draining us of our hope and joy? Are we finding ourselves transfixed on the news and social media (instead of God’s Word)? Will our satisfaction and contentment this week (and beyond?) be based on the results of this election?
Brothers and sisters, let us not become indifferent to the reality of the relentless spiritual opposition from Satan and his demons, lest we become their prey. Take heed of Peter’s counsel to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, to cast all of our anxieties on God, to be sober-minded and watchful, and to resist the enemy (1 Pet. 5:6-9). And add to that Paul’s instructions to “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17).
Pray for God’s will to be done in our country and in the current election. Pray that each of us would gladly accept and be content in God’s sovereign, loving will. Be on alert for anything that would draw our attention and affections away from the Lord Jesus Christ and that would tempt us to do wrong (evil) and not good. Let us not become prey for the enemy.