Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.
There are certain jobs that are inherently risky. In carrying out the demands of such jobs, a lot is put into consideration otherwise the outcome could be fatal or crippling. Some examples are fire-fighters, soldiers, stuntmen, race car drivers and so on. Risky as they are, lots of people enroll and execute them successfully, but with very high standards of operation and precaution.
When Jesus sent his disciples to preach the gospel, he alerted them of the high-risk nature of their calling. As children of God chosen to represent the Most High, we are as sheep amongst wolves. This two kinds of animals in reality do not co-habit peacefully. The wolves will constantly seek to devour the sheep. The MSG translation relates the text as, 'Stay alert. This is hazardous work I'm assigning you. You're going to be like sheep running through a wolf pack, so don't call attention to yourselves. Be as cunning as a snake, inoffensive as a dove'.
Thankfully, our Lord Jesus has not left us to fate but teaches us what precautions we should follow to stay out of trouble of compromising our faith, and stay alive in God. How can we be wise as serpents and harmless as doves? A serpent would look for smart means to stay out of danger and away from risk. They are pros at escaping. A dove would not intentional do harm to anyone. It has a calm and quiet disposition always.
As children of our loving father, we are called to be harmless in effect or intention, to give no provocation but peace always. At the same time, we are advised not to be gullible for our own spiritual safety but to perceive danger, avoid and escape it at all cost. Prov. 27:12, 'The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it'.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for reminding me of my disposition as your child. Let your word manifest in my daily affairs. Preserve me so I am not engulfed in worldliness and lose my Christian faith. Please give me the spirit of prudence and the ability to discern right from wrong. I pray to bear only fruits that glorify you in Jesus name.
One-Year Daily Bible Reading Plan - June 9 2010 - Nehemiah 6-9 (OT), 1 Corinthians 14 (NT).
Pray for someone today - Pray for less privileged children, who find themselves in so much hardship in life for no fault of theirs. That the Lord will help them encounter Jesus Christ and find peace and help as they grow. Pray that their purpose in life will be fulfilled wherever they have found themselves today, by Gods grace.
God's love and mine...
