WEAK SPOT IN THE WALL,
Mark Green,
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour,” (1 Pet. 5.8).
Musk oxen are remarkable animals. They have thick, menacing-looking horns. If the musk oxen sense danger they form a defensive circle around their young, and face their enemies. If you have ever seen a picture of this, you know it is a very striking scene. Shoulder to shoulder, they form a seemingly impenetrable shield to protect the young and weak of their herd. Outside the circle, wolves and other predators prowl about, seeking one to devour, but as long as the defenses of the flock are intact, they have a difficult time getting at their prey.
Our text says that Satan is our adversary. He opposes us on every hand. He would devour and destroy us if he could. Due to God’s almighty power, he cannot get at us to destroy our eternal salvation, but he can lead us astray so as to make shipwreck of our lives. The church is a safe haven for God’s people. It provides a spiritual protection for them. As long as each member of the church is in his place, doing what he should be doing, the church has a wonderful, divinely-designed protection from Satan’s assaults.
If one of the musk oxen forming the wall of horns should become distracted and leave his place, it would give opportunity for the wolves to get inside the circle where they can wreck havoc among the herd. If one ox – only one – causes a weak spot in the wall, the wolves can enter there and do great hurt.
All it takes is one weak spot in the wall for Satan to get into the church and ravage it – just one. Are you that one? Are you the weak spot in the wall of the church through which the devil can penetrate? Think about it. All it takes is one person. Are you the one? Mark Green, The Christian Pathway, Aug. Sept. 2017.