Eph 6:12 "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." NIV
It was late, but as the sun sets late this far north, it was still twilight when
we arrived. We were just returning from our day trip to Labrador, and being
dog-tired, our campground in Quirpon, Newfoundland looked especially inviting.
However, it appeared that we were not the only ones to feel this way! Apparently
word had gotten out to the mosquito community that there was a campground filled
with tired guests just waiting to volunteer their blood for good, wholesome
mosquito snacks! And since mosquitoes seem to be the worst at dusk . . . Well, I
think you get the picture! Never had the four protective walls of our tent
trailer seemed so appealing. After all, what better way to battle this
hard-to-see enemy than by putting a shield between us? And without further ado,
we dropped into our sleeping bags and fell asleep.
Until . . . Bzzzzzzz!!!!!
"Who buzzed in my ears?" I challenged, barrelling out of my sleeping bag to swat
blindly in the direction of that unmistakable sound. Wiping the sleep from her
eyes, my wife reached for the battery-operated lantern, and without too much
difficulty, we located the enemy who had so rudely buzzed in my ear and helped
it out of its misery.
Sleep quickly overtook us again until sometime later: Bzzzzzz….
"Another one?" Whispered my wife half-awake. Reaching for the lantern again, we
dutifully repeated our ordeal. Over and over again. In fact, sometime during the
night, we managed to eliminate 30 of these tiny foe! Didn't they have any
respect for those who were trying to sleep? After all, we weren't bothering them
in the least! Why did they have to make so much noise with their snacking???
The next morning we packed up the tent trailer and left northern Newfoundland.
Leaving behind this campground, our home for the past three nights, was sad;
however we couldn't honestly say we were sorry to leave the mosquitoes! Can you
blame us???
There is an enemy in this world that we often ignore. We are in a battle, a
battle already won by the blood of the Lamb. However the enemy does not want us
to know about his defeat. The apostle Paul warned us about him:
Eph 6:12 "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." NIV
Paul also tells us about a set of armor that God provides. When we rely on Him,
we can stand our ground WITHOUT losing any sleep! (sigh!) - Eph 6:13: "Therefore
put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be
able to stand your ground." NIV
Just as the mosquitoes were ruthless, attacking us in the night, buzzing in our
ears, making us miserable, our enemy the devil is also ruthless. He will use any
weapon he can find, and things as common as discouragement, disease, trials,
hardships, even fatigue, are commonly put to use. His purpose is for us to stop
relying on God, to start distrusting Him, and to think more about ourselves than
about anyone else, God included. Victory against his tactics can be ours if we
rely solely on Jesus. Isn't He the One who won victory over the evil one?
1 Cor 15:57 "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord
Jesus Christ." NIV
Oh! By the way, would any of you be interested in a blood spotted tent trailer?
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
messages. HTML and plain text versions available.
The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.