"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8
OnTuesday, NBC Chicago reported that a 25-year-old woman training for the Chicago Marathon was attacked over the weekend. The woman explained how, while in the middle of her long run, she was grabbed from behind and choked and strangled to the ground-but thankfully saved by a complete stranger who was walking down the street on his way to work. Her rescuer, Tom Cronin said, "I was so stunned by how violent the act was." The woman later said that she hopes the incident serves as a reminder for other runners to "keep your guard up" even if you think the area you are in is safe.
Yes... "keep your guard up." That warning is indeed good for runners and non-runners alike isn't it? Peter knew it too when he warned us to "be watchful" because our enemy the devil, "prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." You see, just as this attacker chose an easy target-she was alone, not alert and unarmed, the devil also chooses who and when he attacks and he loves easy targets too. But how do we keep ourselves from being an easy target you may wonder? That's simple. We surround ourselves with Christian brothers and sisters so that we are not alone and we stay alert to the devil and his schemes by reading the Word daily to be found sober-minded and armed with the Sword of the Spirit.
Billy Graham wisely said, "Don't think of Satan as a harmless cartoon character with a red suit and pitchfork. He is very clever and powerful, and his unchanging purpose is to defeat God's plans at every turn-including His plans for your life." So my friends, even if you think the area you are in is safe, "keep your guard up".
Heavenly Father, thank you for another reminder that the world we live in is a very dangerous place both to our bodies and to our spirits. I thank you that the woman in the story was saved by a good Samaritan and I pray that we would all be that life-saving person to someone else under attack. Help us Lord to become strong Christians versed in the Word that we would be able to fight off the enemy's attacks and help others to do the same. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!!!
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