The Wolves Attack

Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number, men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Acts 20:28-31

In May 1987, National Geographic featured a story by L. David Mech about the arctic wolf, or the white wolf. This mammal inhabits the Canadian Arctic and the northern parts of Greenland and hunts in packs preying on caribou, musk oxen, hares, seals, and lemmings.

In this story, Mech described what they observed when a seven-member pack of arctic wolves once targeted
several musk oxen calves guarded by eleven adults.

As the wolves inched toward their prey, the musk oxen adults bunched in together to form an impenetrable
semicircle with their deadly rear hooves facing out. The calves remained safe during the long standoff.

Suddenly, a single ox broke rank and the rest of the herd nervously scattered into small groups leaving the calves unguarded. A skirmish between the wolves and oxen ensued, but the oxen finally fled in panic leaving the calves to the mercy of their predators. Not a single calf survived.

I'm reminded of Paul's warning to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20. He warned of the wolves that would come and prey upon them after his departure-not sparing even one in the flock.

Wolves continue to relentlessly attack the Church today. But when we are unified in Jesus Christ, we are
unshakable, protected, and a mighty force not to be reckoned with. When believers break rank and scatter
from the group, they provide easy prey.

How can we be on guard against Satan and the "wolves" that roam about? We watch over each other-God's flock. We stand firm on the Word of God. And we put on the full armor of God through prayer.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Help me to stand firm and unified with other believers of your Church, Lord. Protect us from the wolves that come to devour Your flock. Thank You for being the ultimate Protector of
Your children!