The Squatter Speaks!

The Squatter didn’t show himself until well after dark.

We had arrived at our mountain retreat after fifteen long hours of driving.  We had unloaded our truck, unpacked our bags and nestled into Sanctuary Hill.

It was after 10:00 PM.  I don’t know why I had gone to that particular spot in our kitchen. But when I looked up, I wish I hadn’t!!!

There, climbing the wall, was a three-foot-long BLACK SNAKE!!!

I yelled.  He looked at least as scared as I was!  I rousted my Knight-in-Shining-Armor who had drifted off to sleep.  He bolted upright at my shouts and came running.  We both returned to the kitchen…

… and the snake was nowhere to be seen!

Armed with a walking stick, we searched every cupboard.  Underneath the sink.  On top of the cabinets. And that snake was… gone.  He must have found a Way of Escape.  And he was smart enough to take it!

It wasn’t until later — when my adrenaline stopped bulging my veins  🙂  — that You began to talk to me about that Squatter.

I didn’t invoke Your name, Lord, and tell him to leave.  He just bolted as soon as he encountered me!  Or was it You in me he had encountered?

“… every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God… You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”  (1 John 4:4)

But he was here, nonetheless… for a time.  Our house had been swept clean before we left. There must have been a Point of Entry.  Otherwise, he would not have been able to get in.

So You whispered, “How is your spiritual house, Diana?”

“When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it.  Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’  When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order.  Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there.  And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.”  (Matthew 12:43-45)

Are there “points of entry” in my life that I have left unlocked to the enemy, Lord?  Not that he could come in and take over… I am Yours!  You have assured me of that Truth!  But are there places where I have invited him to hinder me?

Places that need to be cleaned up?

“Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no part with me… Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet.”  (John 13:8, 10)

You said this to Your closest disciples, Lord.  They gave up everything to follow You.  They did not turn back like so many others.  I could so easily be one of the many, Lord, who leave You.  I want to be one who staysno matter what.

Wash my feet, Lord… please.

 Abba’s Girl

 

 

 

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