Fighting A Crocodile

1. "Can you catch leviathan with a hook? Or put a noose around its jaw?

2. Can you tie it with a rope through the nose or pierce its jaw with a spike?

3. Will it beg you for mercy or implore you for pity?

4. Will it agree to work for you, to be your slave?

5. Can you make it a pet like a bird, or give it to your little girls to play with?

6. Will merchants try to buy it to sell it in their shops?

7. Will its hide be hurt by spears or its head by a harpoon?

8. If you lay a hand on it, you will certainly remember the battle that follows.
You won't try that again!

9. No, it is useless to try to capture it. The hunter who attempts it will be knocked down."

In Job 41:1-9, the Word of God depicts a fight with "leviathan". In my research, the closest creature we can translate this word to is a huge crocodile.

As recently as September of 2011 a huge crocodile, supposedly measuring in excess of 20 feet long and weighing over 2,300 pounds, was captured in the Philippines. It took 100 men to subdue this creature.

Fighting a crocodile can be the same as fighting off Satan. In the King James Version of the Bible it says, "Lay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do it no more." Translated into Modern English it says, 'If you lay a hand on him, you will remember the struggle and never do it again!" Or so one would think, right?

My friend, that would be great instruction or advice for us to follow. How many times have you wrestled with sin thinking you would win? If you are like most, this wrestling match and battle is an on going event in our lives.

We think we can keep "leviathan" at a distance, toying with and poking at him with a 10-foot pole. However, if we kept at him in that manner, tempting him, he would continue after us until ultimately the sin leviathan wins over us, claiming the victory. We would be consumed.

Sin works the same way. We "keep" at it, keeping it in the general vicinity. We think that we are safe from sin, even though we constantly put ourselves in its path. All too often we go places we shouldn't or say and do things we shouldn't. If we continue to do this, sin will ultimately catch us and we will be consumed.

First Thessalonians 5:22 tells us "to abstain from all appearance of evil." We would be wise to heed that instruction. If we do get caught in sin's jaws, God has provided a way of escape. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

If it looks like sin and feels like sin, it is sin. The only way we can learn to recognize whether or not we are about to fall into sin is to know what God says is sin. His Word will always direct us away from leviathan. Wrestling with sin is tiring and always leads us away from God.

When sin comes to tempt you, remember the lesson of "leviathan" and Job 41:1-9. Remember the struggle and never do it again! After all, why should we sleep in a swamp with crocodiles when we can have forgiveness, peace, and sweet rest with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Dear Jesus,

I am so sorry for the sin I have committed against You. I want to be free from it. Please come into my heart and save me. Wash me clean and forgive me for all my sins. I know You are God's Son and want to give my life to You. Use me in whatever way You can for your glory. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

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