by Troy Dewey

Have you ever felt as though you had no strength to continue on and grow in your relationship with the Lord? Have you ever experienced the excitement and encouragement that comes from the Lord, only to find yourself soon facing heavy discouragement and doubt?

Discouragement, depression, and disappointment  can grab hold of us  like a death gripƒ_"even more so after we commit to a consistent and deeper walk with the Lord. Why is that?  I Peter 5:8 tells us that ƒ_oour adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.ƒ__ 

I  remember watching one of those National Geographic shows where they show a lion making its kill. I kind of hate to watch them because I always feel sorry for the animal that gets killed. But it's a great picture of what happens in our lives; the things unseen by our physical eyes, but clearly seen if we look with our spiritual eyes.

The lion is patient, and waits in the tall grass, unseen, while his target enjoys lunch, celebrating the joy of a good meal, hanging out and fellowshipping with other potential targets--completely enjoying the safety of being right where they are supposed to be with not a care in the world. Isn't life great? Everything is going so smoothly. What could possibly go wrong? They never realize that there is one watching who seeks to literally devour them, to crush their hopes and dreams now and forever. Then, when their confidence has reached its peak and they are full, slow, and least suspecting, the lion attacks.

Who does he choose as his prey? Is it the one in the herd who stayed alert and  aware while grazing, who remained on guard even when things were going so good? Of course not! The lion chooses the ones who are confident that all is well, thinking they can let their guards down and enjoy smooth sailing for a while.

I love they way the Lord gives us physical, tangible examples that pertain to our spiritual lives.

So how do we avoid becoming prey for the lion who seeks to devour us? How can we possibly be equipped to resist what we can't even see? If dedicating ourselves to the Lord makes us a greater target, how can we live in godliness and have security at the same time? 2 Peter 1:3-4 tells us that ƒ_oas His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."

We have available to us all things that pertain to life and godliness. We don't need to wonder if the devil will seek to attack us; we know he will. We shouldn't be surprised when things don't go well or when bad things happen; that's life in a sinful world. But the Word tells us, we have everything we need to deal with with this world, without giving in to it or stumbling. Verses three and four tell us that ƒ_othrough the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature.ƒ__

How can we best grow in our relationship with the Lord, with consistent dedication and intimate fellowship with Him? The answer is simple, but requires discipline and dedication.

Think for a moment: how do we maintain close relationships with those who are dear to us? We remain in frequent contact and spend time and effort knowing them, and with knowing them comes intimacy and a closer relationship. In the same manner, how can we have a strong relationship with the Lord unless we spend time in His word and have an ever growing knowledge of Him? Throughout His Word He's given us exceedingly great and precious promises by which we can take part of a divine nature. That means we actually experience a transformation!  What used to make us stumble no longer has an effect on us. That is heavy!

Regardless of the good or bad that comes our way, regardless of the attacks that the devil uses against us, we can stand strong as godly and virtuous saints through the divine power that God has given to us through a daily devoted life with Him, ever growing in our knowledge of and relationship with Him.

I want to encourage you, don't just try to find time to spend in the Word and pray. Make the time! If you try to find the time, the devil will gladly remind you of every reason you don't have time ƒ_oright nowƒ_Ýbut maybe later.ƒ__   We have to make it happen. It has to be a priority. Something we all know but often forget. Let's not forget it today!

May the Lord bless you guys! Troy Dewey, pastor, Maranatha Chapel Home Fellowships