A RATTLESNAKE SHOWED UP AT MY DOORSTEP, HERE’S WHAT HAPPENED
‘You ask, “Who is this King of Glory?” He is the Lord of Victory, armed and ready for battle, the Mighty One, the invincible commander of heaven’s hosts! Yes, he is the King of Glory! Pause in his presence’ Psalms 24:10
Awhile back, I decided to go out for a cycle. I was in my garage, had all my spandex on (don’t judge my journey), jumped on my bike and as I opened my garage, a rattlesnake sat — coiled, rattling, poised for a fight. Let’s just say I was F’N FREAKED out. It was less than four feet away from me.
I immediately backed up, put my bike away and went inside. I ran looking for my BB guns. I found the gun(s), headed back outside and the snake was still there, just a foot outside our garage.
I quickly gave my BB gun a pump and fired at the snake — bam, I hit it. I continued to fire as it slowly started to slither away. My heart is PUMPING at this point. I’m geeking out at OPERATION RATTLESNAKE! I’ve never shot anything in my life — let alone a rattlesnake that is ACTUALLY rattling AT ME!
The snake continued to slither a bit further into some desert sand where it finally set still, coiled up, rattling it’s tail. At this point, the snake was about 15 feet away.
I yelled for Roscoe (my son, who’s 10) who joined me in firing more BB’s at at the enemy. We were in “battle mode” — heart pumping, BB’s flying.
Finally, we secured a few “head shots” — the snake gasped a few last times, then went belly up in the sand.
Operation Rattlesnake was a success. I stood proud with my son, guns in hand, hearts pumping, smiling from ear to ear. A true father son bucket list moment.
This whole encounter puzzled me the whole day. The rest of the day I was slightly on edge for what else was hiding in the bushes and under any cracks. For some reason, I kept thinking about this idea.
When the devil shows up at your house, your garage, your place — what is your response? This was the analogy in my head throughout the day.
If I can liken this snake to the devil (cheesy, I know, but the coincidence is too weird for me), what would your response be? For me, we had guns, I knew where they were and I knew EXACTLY what I was going to do. I saw a threat — and I went on attack INSTANTLY to rid our residence.
But, there are some who would just run inside.
There are some who would just close the garage and hope the snake would not bother them again.
There are some who would just stare at it and scream.
There are some who would try and shew it back in the desert.
Basically, you are either f’n prepared for battle — or you’re not, which one are you?
This verse in Psalms speaks of the “Lord of Victory” and being “armed for battle” — those are some serious fighting words. This is a God who is well equipped and prepared to bring THE HAMMER to the devil. He’s not INVINCIBLE for no reason.
What about you? How prepared are you for when Satan comes for a visit? Would you just try to shew the devil away or are you prepared for a f’n massacre?
The Bible says, “the devil comes to steal, kill and destroy.” And, let me tell you — he’s going for the kill. So, if you’re not — that m’fer is and you better KNOW THAT.
In Ephesians 6:10, Paul writes about war. He also writes about what God has given us to prepare and be ready for battle. The battle is coming and if you’re not ready — you’re gonna get smoked. And, why sit back and watch when God has given us a weapon to slay — The Word.
The whole killing the rattlesnake was weird. But, I couldn’t stop thinking about the spiritual ideas around it. The battle is coming and I’m believing you will be just as ready as we were. And, not just ready — excited.
The battle may come at you with anxiety.
The battle may come at you with worry or fear.
The battle may come at you with job loss.
The battle may come at you with sickness or disease.
The battle may come at you in your relationships.
It’s coming — pick up your gun and get to work.
Battle is the most magnificent competition in which a human being can indulge. It brings out all that is best; it removes all that is base. All men are afraid in battle. The coward is the one who lets his fear overcome his sense of duty. Duty is the essence of manhood. — George S. Patton
Let’s pray:
Jesus, I don’t know if I’m ready — but I need to be. I don’t know what I would do in these circumstances — but I want to know. Help me to get battle ready, battle tested. I need help in so many areas, please come visit me today. I need all you got. amen.
