Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8).
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When I played baseball the coaches frequently used the phrase “keep your head on a swivel.” When he said this he meant that you needed to be paying attention to everything happening around you. He did this because there was a tendency to have tunnel vision and focus so intently on one thing that you forget to give attention to other important things.
This is essentially the message of Peter in this passage. We have an enemy, Satan. Our enemy is deadly, like a hungry lion. Our enemy is stalking us like prey. Peter informs us of this so that we can “keep our head on a swivel.” Be alert, take the threat seriously, remain focused. Imagine the focus you would have and precautions you would take if a literal lion were on the loose in your community and imitate that attitude in your spiritual life.
The book Meditations Of My Heart (from which this daily devotional is taken) is available / can be ordered from Sain Publications (931-363-6905 or email psain@sainpublications.com).