Post by Les Brewer on Nov 2, 2012 20:24:22 GMT
The Red Tailed Hawk & the Devil Reloaded:
First and Foremost, let us give praise to our Heavenly Father, the God of all creation in whom we live, breathe, and have our being. He alone is worthy of our worship, for He alone is God. Let us bow our hearts in humility to this wondrous and glorious God who loves us with an everlasting love. Christian Greetings!
The other day I was driving to San Luis Obispo on Los Osos Valley Road a 12 mile scenic drive through some of the most beautiful farmland in San Luis Obispo county.
The road is in a valley centered between grassy mountainous horizons in the spring months which taper down to fields which are being plowed in preparation for a new season which have a variety of vegetables and flowers grown in them. Farm hands are in the fields and on tractors busy with the hustle and bustle of this time of year.
At this time of year wild mustard is abundant along the road’s edge and there are many thick patches of its yellow blossoms spread out among the high grasses that wave and glisten as it reflects the sunshine in the chilly springtime wind. One can view long earthen driveways that lead to quaint and aging farmhouses standing in the shadow of towering red barns with rows of pines planted as windbreaks strategically defending them against the coldness of the winds.
Some of the farms have horses mingled with their cattle, while others prefer sheep and goats to make their living from the land. The view is never tiresome or boring but always adds something new if one is paying attention. The landscape is diverse with ravines, mountain peaks, and dead volcanos and sparsely growing ancient native oaks and transplanted eucalyptus trees, vast species of flowers both domestic and foreign. It is a place which scenically engenders serenity within the soul.
This day also yielded something special, a majestic natural display with a supernatural message inspired as I gazed. As I looked to the sky, I saw a large red tailed hawk with a corn snake in his talons perched upon a power line. His head was cocked to right at the moment he caught my sight, sitting so dominantly with that snake still alive and squirming for its freedom as the hawk held him firmly in his grip.
I began praising God, as I drove on with this image firmly in my mind. I thought about the significance of the predator and its prey.
I thought about Isaiah 40:31 “ But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
I thought about the how the devil tries to fool us into believing we are the prey and he is the predator, but the bible describes him in one regard as a snake, a venomous one to be sure, and a predator to some extent, but the bible teaches us the we are not ignorant to his devices, his ploys, his deception, and we do not have to be his prey.
[7] Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
[8] Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
[9] Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. 1st Peter 5:7-9
What I was reminded of when I saw that Red Tailed Hawk was the power of God which we have against the cunning of the devil, the power to overcome him through faith in God, who renews our strength by infusing us with power from on high to defeat the devil.
That hawk was sitting on a power line, we need to realize we are sitting on a power line, our foundation is God who now indwells us gives us with power from on high to conquer the devil and hold him firmly in our grips. He is a liar and the father of lies, who comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but praise be to Jesus who came to baptize us in the Holy Ghost and Fire! We do not have to be the prey anymore, we have become the predator who has power over the devil to put him under our feet in the mighty name of Jesus.
Brethren, I myself wish that above all things that you will prosper financially, that you will have the best of health, but most importantly, that you will mature spiritually in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Your Emissary of the Faith,
Apostle D.R. Ritchie
