1 PETER 5:8-9.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

TO PONDER

The military metaphor, especially in the context of Ancient Rome, is a really helpful one. So, it should not be a surprise to see Peter using it here, just like Paul does in Ephesians. However, there is a different element that Peter is pulling out in a slightly different way than Paul does.

One of the things that made the Roman military so successful was their effective use of formations. While a whole unit were together with their shield interlocking and defences up, they were particularly difficult to attack. This changed however if you could separate a single soldier from the rest of their unit or disrupt the formation. As Peter rightly points out, it's not that different from the way a pride of lions might seek to separate a weak or injured member of a herd in order to make an easy meal.

When we isolate ourselves from the body of believers, it becomes easy for the enemy to make us believe that we are the only one who struggles with our faith. He can then make us feel guilty or ashamed for the doubt or fear we might be feeling, simply because we think that no one else feels those things and that everyone else is a 'better Christian' than us.

The thing is, we all go through those things at some point in our lives and it is the community of faith, the body of Christ, that helps us navigate those times successfully. And a healthy body is essential to healthy people. The way we see one another, treat one another, love, serve, and forgive one another is an indication of our spiritual health. If we find ourselves constantly dealing with bickering and slander within our church communities, then we need to assess where our hearts are at and whose voice is actually leading us. Because the body of Christ (the Church) should be a place where we can find comfort, support and understanding in difficult times. That's not to say we tolerate bad behaviour, but that rather than judging, or jumping to conclusions, we walk alongside one another and try to bring healing and restoration instead of judgement and resentment.

None of us are perfect, but the more we remember that our church family are there to support and encourage us, and the more we contribute to that being true, the easier it will be for us all to stand in the face of the prowling lion.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I often feel small and insignificant on my own. The pressures of life feel too big sometimes and the task of sharing the good news of Jesus to a world so self-centred and distracted is often overwhelming. Please help me to remember that I am not alone. Not only has Jesus felt how I feel, but there are others in my church family who also struggle with faith and who can uphold and support me when faith and life are tough. Thank you for the gift of the church and even more so, the gift of your Son Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWy Newcastle