Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Luke 10:19 ESV

There was a little girl, who was not even two years old, in a video I recently viewed. The little girl’s mom had bread in her hand and was feeding the birds while the little girl was enjoying some of the little pieces of bread herself! When one of the birds landed on the mom’s hand to snatch some bread to eat and fly away, the little girl, quick as lightning, grabbed him by the neck and took the bread straight back out of his beak and put it in her own mouth! Now, for germaphobes like me, that was a difficult sight to see!

Everyone was stunned at the speed and reflexes of the tiny girl. She clearly knew the bread was hers and she wasn’t about to let that bird steal it away from her! The bird was also stunned! It was almost as if she said, “Not today, birdie, not today!”

In my mind, I wondered how often the enemy has swooped in and tried to snatch something away from me - my peace, my hope, my joy, or even my health.

It’s time for me, and for you, to use the authority God has given us to be like this little girl and grab the enemy by the neck and say, “Not today, devil! Not today!”

Heavenly Father, May we be quick to realize that You paid a precious price for us to have Your peace, Your hope, and Your love. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, may we be able to recognize when we are letting those precious gifts be stolen. Please teach us to use the authority You have given us to take back what has already been stolen and protect what You have given us! In the Precious Name of Jesus I Pray, Amen