Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
….He made us, and we are his.
….We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Psalm 100:3 NLT

1 Peter 5:8-9 (<<click here to read the passage)

“Stay alert!” That is some of the best advice that we can adhere to! When Massey was growing up one of the things I pressed upon him was to be aware of the world around him. Too many people pay too little attention – in traffic, in stores, walking, you name it!

I remember one time at work. I, like many employees at Kohl’s, was moving at a pretty fast clip and as I was going past the greeting card section a woman, who wasn’t looking where she was going, stepped right out in front of me. I have pretty good brakes but there simply was no time this time to stop. So instead of bowling her over, I wrapped my arms around her. It was a little awkward, but nobody got hurt. If we had been in cars the outcome would have been totally different! I pray that she doesn’t drive like she shops!

As Christians, Lord, we have to remain alert to the spiritual world around us! Verse 8 says,

Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour. AMP

And if we’re not paying attention, that someone might very well be us! Truly the only way to “stand firm” and remain “strong in [our] faith” NLT is to keep our eyes on You.

I am so grateful that we can trust in Your word found in Isaiah 40:28,

Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. NLT

You, Lord, are always alert! You don’t get distracted. You don’t grow weary. We are weak but You are not. If it’s left up to us – and it’s not always intentional – but we have a great aptitude for not looking where we are going. Quite often, before we know it, we are smack dab in the middle of somewhere we never intended to be. And way too often the devil is ready to pounce, and we are caught.

Lord, help me to “stay alert” by keeping my eyes on You. I am better off all the way around when I do so! Amen!

(Feb 20th, 2017, Mon, 8:12 pm)
Apr 12th, 2023, Wed, 9:20 pm