“What a beautiful day,” said Faye as she looked out the window. Then she saw something that wasn’t so beautiful. “That bad cat!” she exclaimed. “He’s caught another chipmunk!”
Feeling sorry for the chipmunk, Faye ran out into the front yard and grabbed the cat by the scruff of the neck, forcing it to drop the chipmunk.
All of us, from the time we are born, are like that chipmunk in the cat’s mouth. God tells us that Satan is the god and prince of this world, and we are under his power until the Lord Jesus sets us free. We know that chipmunk could not have freed itself from the cat’s jaws, and we cannot free ourselves from Satan’s power either. Only the Lord Jesus can free us, because He broke Satan’s power when He died on the cross. “Through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them, who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Hebrews 2:14,1514Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (Hebrews 2:14‑15).
The little chipmunk was still very lively and didn’t seem to be hurt. He ran a few feet, then turned to face the cat. Sitting on his little haunches he scolded the cat, almost as though he were daring the cat to catch him.
You can guess what the cat did. Of course, he soon had the chipmunk in his mouth again.
Faye released the chipmunk a second time, and then scolded the cat. But still the chipmunk didn’t run far away.
Sometimes young people are much like that chipmunk - they seem to love dangerous things and like to play with sin. They are like those in Proverbs 2:1313Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; (Proverbs 2:13) “who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness.” But God gives the warning, “Go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.” Proverbs 4:14,1514Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. 15Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. (Proverbs 4:14‑15).
Finally when Faye took the cat indoors the chipmunk ran away. But she couldn’t help wondering how long that chipmunk would live if it kept on daring its enemies.
God gives more warnings about our enemy: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:88Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (1 Peter 5:8). Trust in the Lord Jesus who loves you and died for you and escape from the enemy and the wrath to come.
ML-01/17/1993