On Patrol

My daddy says I have a heavy foot, I have no idea what he's talking about.  Well, maybe I do, but enough about that.  

Nothing gets my attention like topping a hill or rounding a curve and spotting a patrol car, doing what it does best - patrolling!  Can a girl get an amen, here?! Yes - you know what I'm talking about, that moment when you let your foot off the gas tap the break while checking your speed.  Your stomach drops to the floor board as you gaze into the rear view mirror for the verdict.

You exhale the breath you've been holding as you think to yourself  Shew! He didn't catch me....and drive on in cautious safety for the next mile or so, or at least until you think you're all clear.

Then it's back to our old ways.

Or, don'tcha hate it when this happens - you're driving along and something catches your eye in the rear view mirror.  You glance to see who's behind you, and much to your surprise, it's a patrol car.  You have no idea how long he's been back there, and immediately begin to replay the last few miles in your mind. 

Was I speeding?

Did I use my turn signal?

Did I do anything wrong?

You proceed nervously, trying to do everything by-the-book so you don't get pulled over.  It feels as if the officer is just waiting for you to mess up.

Those patrol cars are there to catch us!  There to catch us messing up.  Now before you start telling me that those patrol cars are there to protect us, please know, I totally get that, and I am very thankful for each of them who serve us so bravely.  Just follow me for a minute - I think you'll understand what I mean.

Job Chapter 1:6-7 (NLT)

One day the members of the heavenly court came to present themselves before the Lord, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them.  "Where have you come from?" the Lord asked Satan.

Satan answered the Lord, "I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that's going on."

Did you catch that?

He had been patrolling the earth watching everything that was going on. 

Job Chapter 2:1-2 (NLT)

One day the members of the heavenly court came again to present themselves before the Lord, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them.  "Where have you come from?" the Lord asked Satan.

Satan answered the Lord, "I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that's going on."

Patrolling everything - again.

Sounds like he does this often, doesn't it?

Yep - and he's waiting to find you in a vulnerable place, with your guard down so he can catch you.  He is on your tail, and his radar is pointed right at you.  Sure, we've been taught and taught that he prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking to devour, but to think of him as patrolling, gave me a different mental picture.  Prowling around like a lion paints him as crazed and scary to me, but patrolling the earth draws a picture of him as sneaky and stealth, in places I least expect, waiting to slap the cuffs on my wrists without thinking twice about it.

Sure, I immediately slow down and check myself when I see a police car, even give myself a pep talk about doing better, make a mental note that I've seen him in this spot more than once so I will be more careful next time.  I adjust.  I follow traffic laws.  Imagine if we reacted in our spiritual lives to the enemy being on patrol like we do when we spot a police car, we would find ourselves in far fewer traps.

Imagine if we turned the tables and had our radar on him.

Royal Princess Daughter Of The King