by Steve Hale
"So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent Of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him" (Revelation. 12:9).
Indiana Jones and I have something in common: we both hate snakes! Last Monday (Oct. 14), I had opened the car door for Cindy, and was going around to the driver's side. Startled, I took one giant leap for Steve's kind. "What are you doing," Cindy asked? I said: "I just stepped over a snake." The next time I saw Cindy, she was on about the fifth step leading up to our deck.
The little 2 1/2 footer was a feisty rascal. He was greenish brown, and spotted. His head was oval, not triangular, and probably a little garden snake or chicken snake. But, he was coiled and striking constantly. Cindy said: "Kill it!" I wanted to let it go to catch incoming mice, but as usual, Cindy got her way.
As I was walking down to the shop to get my hoe, I could hear her say: "It's crawling toward the grass...hurryl"
I caught it before it got away; and it turned on me, striking viciously at the metal hoe. The snake got an "A" in bravery, but an "F" in tactics. Anyway, I marveled as it coiled and struck and re-struck. Three firm blows with the hoe, and the snake was dead. The third blow, I broke my hoe! Anyway, I scooped the snake in my shovel, and disposed of him. Some contest: a 215 pound man with a garden hoe versus a 6 oz. snake.
The snake we face is a ferocious beast, and cannot be bested by us. He will consume us and devour us unless we have some help. He's called "a great red dragon," "a murderer," "the father of lies," "the tempter," "the Solicitor," and a leader of wayward angels. He makes Charles Manson, Ted Bundy, and Al Capone look mild!
We better get some help, and we better have more artillery than a garden hoe. We need the only champion who can best the serpent, and His name is Jesus (Colosians 1:13, 14). We need his weaponry, "the whole armor of God" ( Ephesians 6:10-17).
Like the little snake in my driveway, he viciously strikes out at whomever he can ( Revelation 12:7-9). His touch is deadly. Unsheathe your sword ( Hebrews 4:12), and don your armor. He's in the grass, waiting to catch you unawares...so watch your step!