1 Peter 5:8
The ocean is a majestic and beautiful habitat, yet it also has a visceral and scary side. This life we live is also filled with beauty and pain, joy and suffering. To quote Capt. Peter Peterson in a recent article he wrote about a Barracuda he caught and I witnessed. “The brutal reality of predation is a well-known concept by saltwater fishermen, as they often observe exactly how powerful nature can be during one of these life and death encounters. I was just about ready to grab the big fish for a photo when out of the corner of my eye I spotted massive Lemon shark zeroing in at full speed on the hapless Cuda! The silver predator was now merely prey as the shark unmercifully attacked the Cuda from behind. The water erupted for a few seconds and then the thrashing battle was completely over in mere seconds. The shark victoriously swam away with the half of the Cuda in his mouth, leaving a stained pool of blood in the ocean.” What an amazing encounter, one that I will never forget! Although I have only seen this happen two times in my fishing experience. I have observed this day to day battle in the lives of countless people including my own as Satan prowls about looking for lives to destroy. 1 Peter 5:8 says “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Satan’s attacks like the shark can be vicious. But the promise of God in the next two verses offer great hope. “But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. As Capt. Peter says “Watch your Six!”, know that a personal relationship with Jesus Christ insures us that we will never be devoured or forsaken (John 10:10).

Written By:

Chaplain Bliss Steele