Fooling the Enemy

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 10
Listen from:
"Hide me under the shadow of Thy wings, from the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies" (Psa. 17:8-9).
There are many creatures who wouldn't have a chance of fighting back or escaping from their enemies, which often would devour them with one bite, if the Creator hadn't provided a means of protection.
For instance, several small beetles are colored bright red, orange or yellow, others are plain-colored, and still others are a combination of the two. Each of these beetles is either poisonous, tastes terrible, or smells bad. As a result, many creatures have learned to avoid them as well as those with similar color combinations, as they are not able to distinguish one from the other.
There is a wide variety of insects, caterpillars, wasps, bees, flies and even small birds that have been given distinctive markings of various kinds. These creatures are protected from harm because they don't look like they are edible. Some resemble stones, sticks and blades of grass. There are some caterpillars that cover their backs every day with flower buds, leaves or grass. An unusual variety of beetle plasters its back with mud each day. Another, making its home on chalk-white cliffs, powders its entire body with fresh white dust, which makes it practically invisible to its enemies.
One of the most amazing insects is an orange and black fly by the name of zonose. Its wings, spread out while resting, are transparent but have black, matched markings on both sides that look exactly like a jumping spider's legs, as well as other black spots on its body-all contributing to its disguise.
In the oceans in many parts of the world, large fish will gobble down smaller ones, but one called the cuttlefish can change its color in less than a second to blend perfectly with its surroundings. In fact, there are a great many fish that can do the same thing. When they see an enemy approaching, they seem to sense that their coloring hides them, so they just remain perfectly still while the enemy swims by without even being aware they are there.
These are just a few examples of helpless creatures being protected from cruel enemies by means of fooling them or being invisible to them, through the remarkable way the Creator has provided protection for them. Of course, they are not aware of His care, but He kindly looks after them just the same.
Those who know the Lord Jesus as their Savior are often aware of Satan, our enemy, who never tires of trying to discourage or harm us by evil teachings. The Bible verse above should be our constant prayer, guide and encouragement. Do you know the Lord Jesus as your very own Savior?