Be Alert! (Lessons from the hummingbird)
My sweet daughter gifted me with a hummingbird feeder. Farmer Bob filled it with nectar and hung it outside our kitchen window.
It didn’t take long…
The hummingbirds found the sweet nectar, whizzed onto our porch, and sipped all summer long.
The photo is not my hummingbirds. They won’t let me get a picture of them. I even have to be very still just to watch them through the window.
They are ALERT and watchful–ready to flee from danger with the speed of a hummingbird (which is very fast!)
Are we alert to danger?
I’m not just talking about being careful when we’re driving or locking our doors.
Are we watchful for the dangers that Satan puts in our path?
Then the Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.” Job 1:7
The devil is roaming about, looking for a way to entrap us with temptation. Are we on alert like my hummingbirds? Are we watchful? Are we ready to flee from this danger?
We are all tempted at times. Even Jesus:
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Matthew 4:1
Our Lord had fasted forty days and nights. He was hungry. The devil used this vulnerability to tempt Jesus by offering Him food. Isn’t that the way the devil works? He knows our weaknesses and creates the temptation that is the most challenging for us to resist.
But, Jesus resisted. He focused on His Father and responded:
It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” Matthew 4:4
Jesus knew exactly what weapon to use against the devil–The Word of God.
Away from me Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'” Matthew 4:10
The Bible tells us that God will protect us from Satan.
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7
God’s Word and prayer can help us resist temptation. We, too, can use scripture, prayer, and the fellowship with other believers (our support group) to fight temptation.
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to man, but God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
We are all tempted. Temptation is not a sin. But, when we are unable to resist the temptation we fall into Satan’s trap.
Do you have a favorite scripture that you turn to when the devil tries to entrap you through temptation? Please share in the comments below. Wishing you a blessed week, my friends.
James 4:7 is my go-to verse, too, Katherine! And I just love hummingbirds and I’ll enjoy thinking of this post when I spot one at our feeder.
I depend on James 4:7, too, Julie. Sometimes that submission is tough, but life goes so much better when I give it all to God. Glad we can enjoy our little hummingbird friends a few more weeks before cooler weather sends them on their way.
Hummers are special to me. Nice comparison.
You are so right. We must remain alert.
I love to watch our hummingbirds, but they flit away so fast. Always busy! (I feel that way on most days!) Thanks for stopping by. Wishing you an awesome day!
2 Corinthians 10:5. Keep coming back to it. Thanks for this. Great reminder.
Oh, yes! Paul writes: We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV) Thanks for sharing, Jonathan.
This is my go-to verse for negative thoughts, too. Such strong verbs!
Yes, it is a good one! Thanks for stopping by, Carole. Wishing you a blessed day.
As I begin a study on the armor of God, this post is timely. Romans 16:20: The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
That’s such an encouraging scripture, Jeanne. Thank you for sharing.