One of my older dogs that outweighs the others and has a mean bite is one of the most docile dogs on the face of this earth. Her normal state is submissive, pulled back, mellow and stress-free.
She lets the other dogs bully her and puts up a weak fight when they are incessant. I have seen her rip a skunk apart, tear all the sprinklers from the backyard, destroy every Kong toy that she has ever laid her teeth on. And yet, a dog smaller than her can mow her down like she was nothing. There may be some dog etiquette in question here, but I think she forgets her identity.
The other day, I was talking about our identity in Christ and how we are members of the divine family as Christians washed in His blood.
‘17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.‘
-2 Corinthians 5:15
We remember this most days, but we forget when we really need it. We need to remember this when we are under attack from this world and the Prince of Lies. Like my dog, when we are attacked, we buckle because we forget that we have a bite stronger than any bite of this world. We are backed by the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Pause, and think about what we inherited as ones that are born again.
‘15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.’
-Romans 8:15-17
We belong to the divine royal family. We can call upon the creator of the universe to stop the bully in his tracks. The evil that draws us in and muddles our head with lies can be stopped because we are victorious in Christ and we are under His protection. Wake up each day remembering this and setting a tone of victory and jubilation.
Dear God,
Thank You for providing refuge to a sinner like me. Thank You for making me Your own. May I walk around today shining the light and behaving like a member of Your family. I pray in Jesus’ precious name. Amen.