My husband and I had the most interesting morning! Our house happens to be on a migratory path for the forest's wildlife, and this morning we saw a doe in the back yard behaving very oddly. She stood, very alert, one leg raised as if frightened of something; but she kept advancing toward it, while kind of stomping her front legs. She was clearly afraid, but ready to charge at whatever it was.
Well, we soon discovered what it was: A lone lynx! Small as it was compared to the doe, the doe knew this was a dangerous animal and she was prepared to meet it head on! Luckily, the lynx seemed oblivious to the deer (deers are docile animals, after all), and it passed right on through our back yard and disappeared into the underbrush.
This serves as a great example of how YHWH's people are to behave - believe and obey YHWH, first and foremost - but remain alert, always ready to defend yourself against the evils of this fallen world of ours! Scripture tells us so:
1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.… (Berean Study Bible)
We are also told that those who endure to the end will be saved (see Acts 2:21; Mark 13:13, also please read all of Mark 13 and Matthew 24). And remember that“being saved” doesn’t necessarily mean physically saved from harm; it refers to our souls/natures/the “being” that is left when we die lives on in Eternity with ELOHIM. THAT is what truly matters.
I believe also that YHWH warns us in advance (Yeshayahu 46:10-11) of things yet to happen. Let's not forget the armor that YHWH has given us to stand against the adversary (Ephesians 6:10-17). One advantage the believer has is recognizing how the adversary operates (John 8:44, 2 Corinthians 4:4, and 2 Corinthians 11:13-15).
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