Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. – 1 Peter 5:8-11

Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me! For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me; you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge. – Psalm 31:2-4

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. – 1 Corinthians 10:13

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. – James 4:6-8

We in Europe have no idea in our lifestyle how terrifying a lion is. We have no concept of being faced by a powerful beast that is capable of devouring us. Peter encourages us to be sober minded and watchful because of the eternal damage Satan can do if we allow him to be lord of our lives. But we have been given divine protection and power to resist temptation. God is our rock of refuge and a strong fortress. He will deliver us. He has given us a way of escape from temptation. He tells us to submit to Him and resist the devil and he will flee from us. Imagine the power that makes a roaring lion flee from us. Submit to God in humility and He will take care of us. The promises of God are a rock of refuge a strong fortress to hide in. He will never forsake us, He will deliver us, He has redeemed us, He will forgive us, He will resurrect us, He will glorify us, He is preparing a heavenly place for us, we will be with Him forever. There is power in faithfulness and the promises of God that can change our minds and our behaviour, to truly make us repent and turn to Him who is our all in all. Look how Peter puts it so beautifully: After we have suffered for a while the God of all grace who has called us to eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

If you want to know more about how to enter a relationship with God, how to be forgiven of your sins and how to become a Christian please take a look at the Gospel section above or get in touch with me through the contact me page.