The continuous chirping and scolding caught my attention. I assumed a cat must have come into the yard. That always sets the robins and sparrows to chirping in alarm. Even though the birds are in the trees and the cat is on the ground, the birds are upset and scold and squawk at the cat until it is gone. But this time the chirping and scolding just kept up and became almost frantic. I glanced out at the trees and saw birds fluttering and hopping from branch to branch in alarm, but there wasn’t a cat in sight.
Forty-five minutes later, the noisy disturbance was still going on. Something clearly was wrong out there, but I did not know what. It was time to investigate.
I looked all around on the ground for a cat in hiding, but there was nothing. I scanned the trees and didn’t find one up in a tree either. And I knew my cat was in the house, so he wasn’t the problem.
As I studied the particular tree where most of the commotion was, suddenly I saw why the birds were so upset. Up in the center of the tree sat an enemy - a large, motionless hawk, and now his fierce eyes were watching me! We stared at each other for a few moments. He never blinked. The birds just kept up their frantic scolding as some of them flitted from branch to branch. From all the commotion they were making, it seemed they knew that this hawk was their enemy.
Or did they? Why did they stay there? Why didn’t they fly away? Was it because that tree was home to some of the little birds? Did they not know that enemies can invade homes?
There was no doubt this large bird was a predator. I was close enough that I could see his big, hooked beak and the long, sharp talons on his feet. And those birds were a whole lot closer to him than I was. I wanted to warn those birds to fly away, but I don’t speak bird language.
However, I do speak your language, and I want to warn you that a predator can invade people’s homes - and yes, Christian homes. Television screens and computer screens have a predator lurking inside. Maybe you have already been warned to stay far away from the predator’s bait.
But do you? Do you watch videos and shows of evil, lust and violence? Do you go to the Web sites of wickedness? Don’t you see Satan’s big, hooked beak and those long, sharp talons? Why don’t you stay far away from him and his evil bait? The Bible warns, “Go not in the way of evil . . . avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away” (Proverbs 4:14-15). Satan is a predator, and he’s looking for victims who ignore warnings!
Since there was no way I could warn the birds, I decided to go back in the house. I had been inside only a few moments when the chirping and scolding turned to an alarmed frenzy! I ran to a window just in time to see the hawk drop to the ground with a small bird in his talons. The captured bird was still moving a little, but not for long. The hawk stomped on the little bird two or three times until it was motionless, then picked it up in its talons again and flew off . . . to eat breakfast.
The other birds in the tree soon quieted down, but they had lost one of their companions who had come too close to the enemy. What a hard lesson to learn. Would they be on their guard the next time?
What about you? Will you pay attention to the warnings of those who love you and care about you and want to protect you from Satan’s treacherous schemes? He is the world’s most successful predator! If you know the Lord Jesus Christ as your very own Saviour, you can turn to Him for help and protection if you have let your guard down and find yourself entangled in Satan’s wickedness. The Bible reminds us that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). Another verse assures us that God is stronger than Satan: “Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
Later that same day, I was outside when I saw the same hawk fly into the yard and work his way into the very same tree and onto the very same branch where he again perched motionless. Waiting for dinner?
This time there were no birds in the tree. Had they learned the lesson?
Satan doesn’t give up looking for victims either. But if you will listen to the warnings and what God tells us in Proverbs 2:11-12, you will have the protection you need: “Discretion [wisdom] shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: to deliver thee from the way of the evil man.”
You have a little prisoner,
He’s nimble, sharp and clever;
He’s sure to get away from you
Unless you watch him ever.
And when he once gets out,
He makes more trouble in an hour
Than you can stop in many a day,
Working with all your power.
He gets your playmates by the ears
And says what is not so;
He uses many ugly words
Not good for you to know.
Quick, fasten shut the ivory gates
And chain him while he’s young;
For this same dangerous prisoner
Is just . . . your little tongue.
“Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3). “The tongue is a little member, and [boasts] great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire [kindles]!” (James 3:5).
ML-11/23/2003