There's a picture that has been circulating on the internet. It shows two rows of big German Shepherd dogs staring at a tiny kitten walking unperturbed between them. Under the picture is the caption ? "yea, though I walk through the valley ?"

I laughed when I first saw that picture. But it's really not a laughing matter. That kitten is putting herself in grave danger but she's oblivious to it. She's sauntering among her natural enemies as though she were out for a stroll in the park.

That picture reminded me of an incident that happened in Papua New Guinea several years ago. I was waiting for my daughter at the bus stop after school. There were a number of other moms and a few dads there, all waiting for their children to arrive. Then I saw a small group of large dogs approaching. I saw a lot of dogs roaming free when we lived in the Yukon, and I saw what those dogs could do, on occasion. It wasn't pretty.

I mentioned to one of the other moms that the dogs made me nervous. She shrugged. "Oh, they're all well trained," she said. I eyed them closely, noting how they had already picked the top dog, how the others followed his lead, how they moved as one, as a pack.

I knew all it would take was for one child to step off that bus with a sandwich in his hand to push those dogs to respond according to their animal instincts. So I took my sturdy umbrella in hand and made sure they didn't get any closer. The kids climbed off the bus safely but I kept my umbrella in a firm grip.

It's all too easy to think we are safe when we are courting disaster. Like that little kitten, we can be oblivious to the enemy of our souls and all his minions. They are waiting for us to stumble, ready to pounce when we show any sign of weakness.

That's why the writer of Ephesians 6 says, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the power of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God ?" (Eph 6:10-13a)

That little kitten who walked among the German Shepherds was betting his life that they wouldn't react. When we tackle, in our own strength, the daily struggles that come our way, we are betting our spiritual lives. Neither is a very safe bet. Far better to "stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace" (Eph.6:14-15). Far better to have a weapon gripped firmly in your hand.

Marcia Laycock is a pastor's wife and freelance writer living in Alberta Canada.  Her devotional book, The Spur of the Moment has been endorsed by Janette Oke, Phil Callaway and others.  To order, and to view more of Marcia's writing, see her web site - www.vinemarc.com
Copyright Marcia Lee Laycock, 2000, 2001,2002,2003,2004,2005