Message #14 (of 20) from the PrayerPower radio series
"Psalm 91"

by Kaye Johns

Peter tells us to resist Satan, the roaring lion [1 Pet. 5:8-9], but Psalm 91 states it more strongly -- "You will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent" [v.13]. The reference is to our victory over Satan -- when we, as God’s children, choose to dwell in the shelter of the Most High.

It’s the victory of the cross. It’s the victory of our authority in Christ, Who said as His disciples, we would be able to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy [Luke 10:19].

When we turn this psalm into a prayer, these verses point to our need to ask for discernment. We must ask that we understand the reality of Satan and his desire to destroy. Only when we perceive how real he is and take his threat seriously are we on guard against him. Satan is a deceiver, and his biggest, perhaps his easiest deception, is to make us think he doesn’t exist. So long as we believe his lies, we remain unaware of the danger we’re in. Before we can trample the serpent, we must see him.

But more than that, we need discernment to know whether we’re dealing with a lion or serpent -- or just ourselves. Satan isn’t our only downfall! In fact, if we allow self, our flesh, our sin nature, to dominate our lives, Satan needn’t bother with us at all. We can manage to compromise our Christian walk and witness without his help.

So we ask for enlightenment, for our eyes to be opened through an abiding, discerning relationship with the Lord.

Pray with me now--Father, give us eyes to see the serpent; give us courage not to be afraid; give us wisdom to trample him beneath our feet -- in Jesus’ name, amen.

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