Spiders and Demons
Most of us have at least a mild case of arachnophobia - the fear of spiders. But if you really want to be creeped out, do you know how many of them there actually are? Experts say that except for in Antartica and in the ocean, spiders average 50,000 per acre or 131 per square meter!* That's pretty easy to believe when I see the sun glistening on the dew that has settled on the spider webs in my yard every morning, or when I sweep the corners in my house! And that means unless you are in Antartica or the middle of the ocean, you are never more than 3 feet from a spider. Want to look under your seat now? Are you going to have trouble sleeping tonight?
*See the link to source above for more facsinating facts about spiders.
Now for a more important question. Do you have a healthy fear of something even creepier than a spider, something of which the Bible actually warns you about? In Ephesians 6:12, Paul says we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against "spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." How many are there? "Hosts" sounds like a lot. When Jesus cast demons out of a man in Mark 5:9, they called themselves, "Legion," because they were "many." How many is "many?" 50,000 per meter?
Perhaps Revelation 12:3-4 give us a hint. John says the dragon, who seems to clearly represent Satan, drew one third of the stars of heaven and caused them to fall to the earth. Is it possible that this represents one third of the angels rebelling against God, following Satan, and becoming demons? That would be "hosts," "legion," "many." Perhaps we are never more than three feet from one of them!
But take heart. There are twice as many good angels as there are fallen ones, and Hebrews 1:14 calls them "ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation." Be aware, be vigilant but don't be afraid!
Scribbled Prayers
One of the great privileges of serving as a deacon is the opportunity to be one of the first to pray over needs shared at the beginning of the worship service. Our congregation is invited to fill out prayer request cards which are available in each pew. They simply say, "Let us pray with you," leaving a blank space, with the prompt, "My request is ..."
A particular prayer request stood out to me. It was the scribblings of a young child filling out the blank prayer card as he sat in the pew. Just a squiggly line — up, down, and back and forth on the card.
I love the heart of a child eager to participate and share their scribbles for prayer. “Let the little children come to me, and don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Luke 18:16, NIV).
It also reminded me that this is how a lot of my prayers must sound before the sovereign God. My praying must often be not much more than scribbles of unintelligible ideas and whinings when presented to Him. But I am glad that he knows them better than I do.
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words” (Romans 8:26, ESV).
Thank God For Spiritual Spring!
Bound in each blossom and the green of the lawn
Is a message for the whole world to see
Witnessed by each person who beholds the dawn
Or every bush, plant, and flower, each tree
The deer, the rabbits, the birds of the morning
So many testify of its coming
As God brings new life, His gracious performing
Is heard in their songs, sounds, and humming
Nature displays in graphic depiction
How God brings life after death
Look up at His Son and His cruel crucifixion
As He yielded and breathed His last breath
The cold of the tomb could only envelope
God in the flesh for so long
The faithful writers with words develop
How a dirge became a victory song
“He is not here! He is risen!”
The angels their chorus related
His grave was a powerless prison
His disciples would soon be elated!
The good news spread like a blanket of flowers
In the field of men’s hearts full of trust
It still bursts forth in fruitful bowers
That new life can spring up from the dust
Dear friend, you may be in the winter of despair
The icy grip of sin bringing guilt and strife
Believe that the Son can make your skies fair
Defeat death and bringing you new life!
"The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'Therefore I have hope in Him'" (Lamentations 3:22-24, NASB).