March 19 – The Woodpecker
II Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.
Faith is something in our lives that must always be cherished and protected. It is like the worm that the woodpecker is trying to find as he chips away at the protecting wood around it. If we do not do whatever we can to keep the woodpecker away, not only is the worm gone, but the structure around the worm is also destroyed.
In our lives of faith, Satan is the woodpecker who is forever trying to get at that worm, our faith. It happens in so many ways and that is because Satan is ingenious with ways to peck away at our structure. We frequently do not even realize that it is happening until we find the hole. We find ourselves tearing down someone we work with or gossiping about a friend…… Peck. Then we hear ourselves telling a little fib, “I can’t come to work/school today, I’m sick”, ……Peck. Or we say, I shouldn’t be watching this type of movie, it is vulgar and crude, ……Peck. Or we say, “That driver ahead of me is an idiot. I’ll show him/her”…….Peck. Or we realize that these people I’m with are participating in things that are definitely not part of my beliefs,….Peck. Etc, Etc…..Peck. …..Peck,…… Peck,…… Peck.
The result of all that pecking is that the worm, your faith, is gone. It is our job to protect our faith. It needs to be encased in something so strong that Satan can’t get at it. That’s not to say that your faith needs to be hidden. Contrary to that it should be bright and shining for others to see. Faith needs nourishing to protect it, make it grow and finally mature. Nourishment comes in the form of prayer, reading the Word, Bible study, attending worship. The more time spent in these areas, the stronger our faith becomes and the easier to recognize Satan’s attempts to lead us astray. The more time we spend in these studies the easier it becomes to say, “get thee behind me Satan.”
Prayer: Father, please guide me in the growth of faith in my life.
Open my heart and mind to opportunities to hear and understand your Word.
Guide me in my life that Satan may not gain a hold over me and destroy my faith.
Dick, it’s appropriate that you use an ornithology illustration! The point reminds me of Trinity’s banners and the “strength” behind/under continual devotion (Acts 2:42). Great illustration, and devotion. Thanks!