His sharp talons caught the dove and pinned it to the limb. The hawk stood upon his prey, crushing the small bird with his weight. His victim was helpless.
Then, to my surprise, a fearless squirrel bounded from limb to limb toward the hawk. He scurried around the limb, barking ferociously at the giant bird, as if to say, “Get out of here and leave us alone!”
The hawk looked up from his catch to stare at this ridiculous little rodent. I thought the squirrel must be crazy. Didn’t he know hawks eat squirrels, too?
Just then another squirrel leapt from a nearby pine and scampered to the limb a few feet from his buddy. He, also, barked at the giant bird. I thought he was crazy too. They were no match for that hooked beak and those powerful talons.
The hawk seemed nervous and confused at the noise. Suddenly, without letting go of his prey, he lifted his wings and flapped over to the pine. The meddling squirrels chased him, jumping from limb to limb and then to the pine. At this, the hawk flew away, still clutching his quarry. The squirrels vanished too, leaving the scene in silence.
I was left a little stunned, unsure of what to make of this display of carnage and bravery. However, as I have thought about this scene in the months since, I have come to realize that it illustrates a basic concept in Scripture. We all need a buddy in the Lord.
As we resist evil, we need someone willing to stand with us in whatever we are facing.
Did you notice that the squirrels did not attack the hawk? They couldn’t. They were no match for their opponent, one on one. But together, their noisy bluster was enough to chase him away. We, too, are most effective in spiritual conflict when we stand with one another in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Peter said it this way: "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, because you know that your brothers through- out the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings" (I Peter 5:8-9, NIV).
Did you get that? Our brothers (and sisters) throughout the world (even in our neighborhood) are undergoing temptations, injustices, and suffering, just as we are. They need us and we need them. We need to stand with each other in prayer, in church, and sometimes in the middle of a spiritual battle.
Jesus said, “As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34, NIV).
Are you that kind of Christian friend? Could someone call on you today for prayer in the middle of their conflict? Would they feel they could trust you with the truth of their situation?
Or, turn the tables and look at it another way. Could you call on a Christian buddy you trust and share your own battle with sin? It takes faith and humility, whether you give or receive.
The squirrels could not save the dove. And we cannot save everyone from every re- sult of sin. But we can stand together against the evil we see around us.
We have the Holy Spirit who is called to come alongside each Christian with, not only comfort, but power. We need Him. But we also need to see another human being care enough to pray with us, listen to us, and perhaps meet some of our needs.
Whenever you see a soul about to become a victim, stand with that person in the Holy Spirit’s power. In your faith, lock shields together, like Roman soldiers. Be willing to make a sacrifice. Your efforts will not be wasted.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12, NIV). And the Lord is our salvation.
