The Thief

This is a photo of our backyard freeloader. We named him, Bandit. He has a partner in crime, but since we can’t tell them apart they both share this more than appropriate title.

My picture isn’t very clear, because he works under the cloak of darkness; foraging for any tidbit he can find.

One night, Chloe, our “ferocious Bichon”, spotted him and barked him back into the woods. She was very proud of herself for protecting everyone, but truthfully Bandit was back just a short while later.

Do you ever have days like that? I know I do!

The enemy, the one who likes to lie, steal, and rob us of our joy . . . is often very evident in our lives and in the lives of people who are dear to us. We can bark and whine at him, but all of our efforts won’t chase him away for more than a few  moments.

Truthfully, barking and whining aren’t very effective against the enemy. We need to keep our focus on the One who has already won the victory over him for us. The enemy might come around and dig in our yard and the yards of those dear to us, but only for a short season.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 (NIV)

Jesus came to remove my fear of the “thief.” He came to give life . . . full life. Life that doesn’t include barking and whining but instead is prepared for battle.

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:11-17 (NIV)

By God’s grace we have been given all that we need to fight the enemy. We have God’s truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation as our protection, and the sword of the Spirit (God’s own Word) as our weapon.

May you be blessed to know the peace that comes from focusing on the Savior, and not on “the thief.”

 

2 Responses to The Thief
  1. melissa
    June 8, 2011 | 4:48 am

    This message was just what I needed today. Thankyou.

  2. Kimberly
    June 18, 2011 | 8:58 pm

    I love this post! Especially the reminder that He has already won the victory over the enemy and that we need to keep our eyes focused on the Lord. Sometimes it is so easy to not even bark or whine at the enemy out of fear or discouragement. We need to be reminded of the powerful weapons we have on our side! Thanks, Deb! 🙂