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On Friday night, October 3rd, famed magician Roy Horn was savagely mauled by a 600-pound, 7 year old, male white tiger during a performance at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas. The performer was part of the famous duet, Siegfried and Roy.
By all accounts, it seems that the tiger was not actually trying to injure Roy, but was confused when he bit him on the neck and dragged him offstage. He bled heavily and was severely injured by the attack, however, appears to be in recovery at this time.
What is so shocking is that Roy had handled and performed hundreds of times with this same animal. In fact, the two performers have completed the more than 5,000 shows during their fourteen years at the Mirage without incident until now.
I can't help but be reminded at all the warnings from the Word of God about the importance of people keeping watch on their lives. We sometimes flirt with temptation, fool ourselves into thinking that we aren't harming anyone or mistakenly believe that we are getting away with something that might be sinful. Make no mistake about it. Christians are called to be on their guard and to be alert at all times. No one is exempt from Satan's devices.
Paul taught the Ephesians to be careful about their anger so that "we do not give the devil a foothold."- Eph. 4:27. James said it this way, "resist the devil and he will flee from you,"-James 4:7. The Apostle Peter gives this warning: "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith…"-1 Peter 5:8. That's pretty graphic. Imagine Satan as a six-hundred pound monster prowling around looking to devour your soul!
The message? Satan is a real and a worthy opponent of the believer. He is not one to whom you want to give attention, time or place in your life. He is one that we want to be alert to, resist and run from if necessary.
You just never know when he will turn on you!
Tom Nuckels |