Prey or Pray

Some days I feel like an adorably cute, happy-go-lucky fluffy bunny…just waiting to be pounced on by any number of predators. Do you have days where you feel you are prey? No, I’m not talking Predator like the science fiction action horror film. I’m talking a big teeth, powerful jaws, huge paws with claws predator, just waiting to blind-side you with one fatal swipe of said claws.

In nature there is a relationship between prey and predators. And not the relationship one would want to pursue on purpose, because predators and prey are natural enemies. Predators may actively search for prey or sit and wait for it. When prey is detected, the predator assesses whether to attack it. This may involve ambush or pursuit, sometimes after stalking the prey.

Predators are adapted and often highly specialized for hunting with acute senses, stealth and aggressive mimicry that improves their efficiency. Prey, on the other hand, must remain ever vigilant, always scanning their surroundings for predators. This makes it difficult to feed or sleep. By forming groups, prey can reduce attacks. When an attack is imminent prey can flee, hide, possibly even startle the prey, or play dead.

While this is true in nature, it also true in the spiritual realm. “Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whim he may devour.” (1Pet. 5:8 [TPT])

“They’re like lions eager to rear me apart. Like young and fearless lions lurking in secret, so ferocious and cruel—ready to rip me to shreds. Arise, God, and confront them! Challenge them with your might! Free me from their clutches and rescue me from their rage.” (Ps. 17:12-13 [TPT])

But don’t worry because Jesus has overcome the devil! “…Because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God was revealed was to undo and destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8b [TPT]) And from the footnote on Matt 16:18 [TPT] “ All the forces of hell will never have the power to stop Jesus.”

“So then, surrender to God. Stand up to the devil and resist him and he will turn and run away from you.” (James 4:7 [TPT])

Which reminded me of a movie from 1998 called The Bear. It tells the story of an orphaned bear who befriends an adult male grizzly as hunters pursue them. The story includes peril, protection, and mercy. At the very end of the movie, the young cub is alone and is confronted by a mountain lion, who corners him near a stream. The mountain lion approaches the cub and swipes him with a claw and bloodies his face. Trying to defend himself against the mountain lion’s attack, the cub struggles to roar. Then you see the mountain lion stop in his tracks, and you think, cool, what the cub is doing is working. But in reality, you hear a loud and menacing roar that chases the mountain lion away. Turning, the cub sees the adult grizzly behind him and runs to his side, where he is comforted and the grizzly licks his wounds.

We do our best to roar and scare the devil away, when in reality, Jesus is right behind us letting out a loud and menacing roar. We just need to look over our shoulder and see Him helping us, and run to him like the cub did and be comforted. Gives new meaning to “having your back.” Because He does my friends.  “You squeeze me in from behind and in front, you place your hand on me.” (Ps. 139:5 [NET])

So continue to be an adorably cute, happy-go-lucky, fluffy bunny because God’s got this and is ready to give you a big ol’ bear hug!

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