Near our apartment building live three lively little squirrels. The lady living upstairs named them and feeds them nuts every morning. Their names are Tom, Mike and Sally. Throughout the seasons I have watched these three frisky playmates and have enjoyed their antics. Once in a while I leave them leftover cranberry bread or some other choice snack on my windowsill. Often they will leap right over and help themselves, even before I have a chance to close the window. Needless to say, they have become quite bold, having received only good things to eat from people.
Are you like these squirrels? Are you tasting the good things of today without any thought as to the future? Have you ever thought about your soul’s need? Or, like these squirrels, are you just going through life unaware of the danger that lies ahead?
One bright, cold morning I stepped outside and was about to get into our car when I noticed something that made me stop still! Across the road was one of the squirrels (whether Tom, Mike or Sally, I couldn’t be sure). It was sitting on its haunches busily nibbling on a large walnut. What it didn’t know was that a fat, gray cat was only a few feet behind it, inching closer every second with every hair bristling.
The Bible warns us that “the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8. Just as the squirrel was unaware of the cat, perhaps you have no idea that Satan has you in his power if you have not trusted in the Lord Jesus as your Saviour. Satan is very real, and you have no power in yourself to fight him.
I knew in a flash how I could save the life of that unsuspecting squirrel. With a roar, I lunged at the cat, waving my arms like a wild bear. The cat, once so fierce, scampered off. It was one frightened puss. The squirrel, of course, was also startled at the hubbub, and it darted up a nearby tree.
It found safety in the tree.
You, too, can find safety in a tree. I did. Once I, too, was in great danger and didn’t know it. I was lost in my sins, and Satan had me in his power. The Lord Jesus saved me by dying on the cross for my sins. That cross was the tree in which I found safety, and you can, too.
“Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree.” 1 Peter 2:24.
ML-05/08/1983