Predator and Prey


Some of you may get a little squeamish at a sight like this, but in Yellowstone the animals all realize they are either predator or prey. And that status can change one moment to another depending on their size, speed, agility, and persistence.

This harsh reality is not limited to the animal kingdom because if you look closely you'll see this to be true of many human beings... although it's debatable whether their actions are indeed humane. The TV news reports a continuous cycle of greed, murder, abuse, neglect, suffering and violence.

Why do people act like that? Because it's in our nature -- well, our old nature... the one we were born with. Paul, to the church in Ephesus, wrote...

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. (Ephesians 2:1-3)

People act in disobedience because their hearts are controlled by sin and the one who brought sin into this world -- Lucifer or Satan. Yes, without a changed heart people will act like the devil himself. There is good news however. Paul continued his letter with the phrase "BUT GOD..."

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 2:4-7)

As a Christian you might become the target of aggression, hate and violence. Because the world hates God they will hate you too. This is evidenced daily by those who attack common sense, morality, ethical behavior and biblical truth. But you have been saved by grace through faith and there is a heavenly reward of immeasurable riches waiting on you. Even if you are the prey, because you have prayed in faith you have nothing to fear--your life now and for eternity is with your Lord and Savior.

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21) 

Yellowstone National Park

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