In Pursuit

General firearms season for whitetail deer opened in Virginia this past Saturday, and for many of us east of the Blue Ridge, that means it's time to load up the hounds and beagles. Dog hunting for deer in the Deep South is steeped in tradition, and the 11 states which still allow hunting deer with dogs are all in the Southeast U.S. The practice of using dogs for hunting was actually brought to America with the first European settlers, and it is believed that the first authentic pack of hunting dogs in the colonies was established in Maryland around 1650. The use of deer dogs has become quite the controversial topic in some states, especially Virginia, and some want to lump the practice of dog hunting into the overall debate over fair chase. However, based on what I have witnessed on numerous occasions, an able-bodied deer is more than capable of side-stepping and completely confusing a hound or even a pack of hounds in pursuit. Hounds are generally not a threat to a deer's well-being, rather they can be more of a nuisance or aggravation. Whitetail deer know the layout of their environment, know their speed and endurance, and also know how to remain motionless for extended periods of time, letting dogs move right past them without breaking. Whitetails are masters at using all of their survival and protective measures collectively in order to elude or escape an impending pursuit.

1 Peter 5:8-10 (NASB)
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

The Greek term διὼκω (pronounced dē ō kō) is used in both the Old and New Testaments, and is translated as the pursuit of a goal; this term is also used to describe Satan's pursuit or chasing of believers. Satan attacks believers by chasing or pursuing them. He is unable to overtake them spiritually, as the Holy Spirit residing within their souls makes them spiritually impenetrable; therefore, the believer's flesh is the only thing that is exposed and that can be attacked. While Satan cannot devour believers by destroying them, he can cause them to be devoured mentally and emotionally with concerns over the things in their lives that he attacks. This is why God urges believers in Ephesians 6:13 to take up the whole armor of God, as it is to serve as their resistance and protection against evil forces in the spiritual realm. The opposite of what Satan wants to happen occurs when believers obey God and resist Satan's attacks instead of engaging in warfare with him themselves. (studylight.org - Greek Thoughts/Anthistemi)

Brothers, God's plan is to provide believers with every necessary piece of spiritual protection in Christ Jesus. This is so they do not have to fight evil forces themselves, but rather are enabled to resist their attacks, leaving the spiritual battle to God. Are you attempting to battle Satan in your own strength and with your own protection? Put on the full armor of God and let Him fight the battle on your behalf. - GE