This quote is from a letter Peter wrote to Jesus followers like us,

^"6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. ⁷ Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. ⁸ Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lionlooking for someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings."

The image of Satan as a" prowling and roaring lion looking for someone to devour" catches my attention!  In just a few words Peter is trying to convey a great deal about his understanding evil and Satan!  I would love to sit down with Peter and have some follow up questions, "Tell me more!... Help me understand... What experiences lead you to describe the devil in this way?"  But I don't get to do that...... but I can look closely at his words.  Here are some of my conclusions about what Peter is telling me!

1) He seeks to devour... The devil is very dangerous and operates without mercy! Take him seriously!

2) He prowls - so sometimes he is sneaky and you don't see him coming..... so Peter says, "Be alert!"

3) He roars - sometimes he uses a mega phone and intimidates (I think of things like ISIS) .... so Peter says, "Be sober minded!"

4) He is beaten and beatable - each battle we have is winnable through faith in the winner - Jesus.... so Peter says, "Resist him, standing firm in the faith!"

As we stand firm in faith and resist the devil - he shrinks back intimidated by the power and presence of Jesus!  We get to see ourselves as very strong in the battle! As Jesus taught us to pray we get to cry out to God in the midst of life... in the midst of temptation saying "Father, Deliver us from the evil one!"

This simple pray connects us to our Father in heaven and the victory He has accomplished through Jesus for us!

Today I will "Resist him standing firm in the faith.." by praying "Father, Deliver us from the evil one... Deliver us!"

It is time for Satan to be intimidated in my life and in yours!

delton