And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. 2 Corinthians 11: 15
"Some raw material has entered our supply chain that did not meet the quality that had been represented." That’s one way to describe the poison-laden cat cuisine, which was marketed by Menu foods. It’s the way the company’s president described the food that has killed some family pets and caused the hospitalization of others.
There are many ways to look at and describe the situation. A spokesman for the New York State Food Laboratory said he was pleased that the expertise of his people had helped in “identifying the agent that caused numerous illnesses and deaths in dogs and cats across the nation.” Animal activists are expressing outrage that such a scandalous situation could ever have happened. Of course there are also the responses of the animal’s owners. Many of them are heartbroken by the knowledge that the wholesome food they thought they were giving to their furry friends has, instead, caused pain, problems and death. Finally, there are those people who are comforted by a larger world-view and callously comment, “It’s only a couple of dogs and cats.”
As for me, I think it’s just one more proof that sin shows up in the strangest places. Think about it. Scripture says that when Eve looked at the forbidden fruit she, “saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise.” You know what happened next. It wouldn’t be the last time sin showed up in a strange place. Samson thought Delilah was pretty; but he didn’t realize she was moonlighting as a barber. Read through the Bible and you will conclude that sin shows up in the strangest situations.
Surprised? Don’t be. Since Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light, and his servants can make themselves appear to be upstanding servants of righteousness, sin and its results are guaranteed to show up in the most unexpected places, including premium dog and cat food.
Of course it’s impossible for us to anticipate where sin is going to show up in our lives. Satan and his foul-weather friends have far more experience creating temptations than we have in avoiding them. Which is exactly why we must regularly consult our all-knowing Father for direction and assistance. He who sent His Son to seek and save us has provided that we, like Timothy, can be “acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” If we do this, as men and women of God, we will find ourselves trained in righteousness and equipped for every good work. If we do, we will be ready to resist when Satan, sin and its consequences show, even if it’s in the strangest of places.
THE PRAYER: Dear heavenly Father, this day I pray that You will, in Your omniscience, guide me. Sin and Satan show up all around. Help me avoid that which is wrong and displeasing to you, and glorify the Savior who has freed me from sin and its consequences. In the Savior’s name, I ask it. Amen.
Today's Bible Readings: Deuteronomy 17-19 Luke 5:17-39
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