Watch Out for the Lion

The recent advertisement for the History Channel’s “Mountain Men” described Yaak, Montana, as “The place where men are not the top of the food chain.” Obviously, at least in my thinking, this was another example of media hype attempting to sensationalize a situation with the goal of attracting viewers. The series gained popularity this summer highlighting three areas of the USA that were rugged, rural, and where supposedly only a strong mountain man could survive. Thus the producers took you to the wilderness of Alaska, to a rural spot in the Smokey Mountains of North Carolina, and to the “big sky” mountainous region of northwestern Montana.

The region of Yaak is surrounded by multiple hundreds of square miles of mostly uninhabited National Forest. Planted there in the middle of towering pines and rugged mountains was the small community of Yaak. It is composed of the Mercantile which is a general store including a gas pump, bar, and “restaurant.” Several other establishments dot the town. These include: “The Dirty Shame Saloon,” which was closed for several years awaiting a buyer who likes seclusion and the prospect of a slow-paced business; a fire station that services the town and assists the National Forest should a forest fire flare-up; a one room school house; and a community building built out of massive logs in the 1950’s. It was this building that brought us to “the Yaak” as people generally referred to the region. It was actually the small group of people who meet in that building for church services each Sunday that attracted my wife and me. We were to serve there during the month of July assisting the church by conducting a Vacation Bible School for the children of some of the families widely scattered throughout the area, preach each Sunday, and aid the leaders of the church who were hoping to find a bi-vocational pastor to come to live in and serve the community.

The region is made up of natural beauty that clearly reveals the handiwork of God. The place just didn’t seem as foreboding as the History Channel was hyping it to be. In fact, it was a wonderful area to breathe in the clean pine scented air and marvel at the vistas surrounding us. It did not seem as scary as promoted. One morning while preparing to drive to the closest “big” town, our host went to close the barn door which was about 20-25 yards from the guest cabin where we were staying. Meanwhile, my wife went to the cabin to pick up a sweater. As the door to the barn closed, a mountain lion leaped out of the barn and ran towards the cabin where my wife was just about to step off the porch. She did not see the cat as he bounded in her direction nor hear our panicked shouts to get back in the cabin. My first instinct led me to start running toward her just about the time the lion saw her. Abruptly the mountain lion turned from her and with several leaps sprang into the pine forest behind the cabin. After our blood pressures dropped and the dust literally settled, we discovered that the lion had evidently devoured three of the five kittens in the barn. Perhaps there was a measure of truth to the hype of the History Channel after all!

Since that event, a description in the Bible of how the Devil “prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8) has taken on new meaning. First, our surroundings do not guarantee safety from Satan’s presence. That mountain lion was in a barn designed for protection. Our safe “places” are not a guarantee that we are safe from the attacks of Satan. He is on the prowl. He wants to destroy people and he does not care where he has to go to do it. He will come into our homes, relationships, and churches seeking to unleash his havoc.

Second, Satan like the lion operates with stealth. He does not announce his coming to unleash his mischief. He slinks in unawares. Often we look at what appears serene, unaware that Satan is either about to attack or the attack is underway. He often attacks when we least expect it.

Third, Satan runs when resisted. That is why Peter says, “But resist him” (1 Peter 5:9). James explains that when we, “Resist the devil… he will flee from you” (James 4:7). Seeking advice from one of the “mountain men” of Yaak, I asked what to do if we encountered another mountain lion. He suggested we stand our ground, make lots of noise, face him, “look big,” and if close enough, hit him in the nose. “After all,” he said, “He is a back attacker and really just a big cat!” Standing against Satan is a bit different. We stand “strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might” (Ephesians 6:10). We put on the “full armor of God that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil” (6:11). In battling with Satan, we have the full armor of God available so we may “stand firm” against the foe who seeks to devour us (6:13-18).

During the remaining time in Yaak we were more cautious when we went for a walk. We looked up into trees and high rock ledges, the favorite haunts of mountain lions. We realized in this environment we needed to be alert for it could be dangerous. I need to be just as alert in the spiritual realm. Not filled with paranoia, but with confidence that when we resist the devil he is the one who is on the run!