The Battle of Mosquitoes
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