Zambian Mission, Chipata, Zambia, Africa, Missionary John Holtz

It’s there.

I know it is. I haven’t seen it yet, but others have. I believe their word and can’t deny the evidence.

Spitting Cobra Some time back we found a shed skin in our garden.

Then one day we found our dog with a weeping eye swollen shut.

On Tuesday, 11th April 2010 it was both sighted and identified:

A Black Spitting Cobra.

Charcoal body. Flared hood. Spitting fangs Venomous glands.

It’s made our yard its home. Once again it made a clever escape into a hole.

I wondered: Did it join an underground brood? How many are there? Will it be back? I imagined running after the beast shaking a garden tool.

Coward! Afraid of a shovel, are you?

I actually didn’t say those words but I would have had I been the one who had given chase to that legless lout! Since then, have I seen this resident snake on our property? No. But is the snake still in our yard someplace? How could I think otherwise?
I get the feeling, however, that it prefers that we think it isn't.

I wonder, too, if the same is true of another snake in the grass?

Does the devil prefer if we just think it’s not around? Have we overlooked that the ancient serpent (Rv.20:2) is slithering around right here in our own back yards? Do we forget that it is just one viper of a disgustingly large brood? may10b

Admittedly, sometimes I do.

I know that my flesh sinful and the world is evil...but the snake?

Is it really there?

I haven’t seen it, but can I deny the evidence?

Hasn’t that old snake made Adams and Eves out of us all at one time or another?

We pass the blame like the first and make excuses for our sin like the second. We question if God really says what he means and means what he says.

Oh, the snake is there alright. So is the encouragement from God: Be alert! (1 Pt 5:8) Watch where you step because the serpent is as sneaky as it is shrewd.
Sneaky because it glides along unnoticed; shrewd because it knows the opportune times (Lk 4:13) to approach and speak our language.

The serpent all too often finds listening ears and lustful eyes. His flickering tongue catches our attention; the polished apple holds it.

But the snake tauntingly displays before us more than just fruit from a tree. Just ask a Malawian. They’ll tell you that sometimes it’s…

Another woman:
Did God really say we shouldn't marry more than one wife?

A witchdoctor with “supernatural powers:”
Did God really say we should avoid witchcraft?

A church basket of offering money:
Did God really say we shouldn't steal if we are poor?

A newborn infant:
Did God really say we shouldn't hang charms around our babies’ necks? (our forefathers did!)

“Greener pastures”
Did God really say I can't divorce my wife if she doesn't bear me a child or cook my food the way I like it?

Is the snake in Malawi? Undoubtedly so.

Have you noticed it in your own backyard? Have I in mine?

Isn't the evidence all around us!? Even if this is the first time you’re thinking about it, how do you feel now knowing that there is a Snake on your property?

As crafty and cunning as the devil is, take heart! There is something much different about The Serpent and the snake in our garden:

The head.

The head of the snake in our yard is intact. The Serpent’s? Crushed! (Gn. 3:15)

What your heel can do to an egg shell, Jesus’ death and resurrection did to the Snake’s head!

Hear the crunch? The crushing tool was a cross. The skull of the snake was crushed on Skull hill.

“He forgave our sins…having disarmed the powers and authorities…triumphing over them by the cross.” Co. 2:14, 15.

Jesus’ triumph is ours! In Him, we can live in…

peace, not panic!
freedom, not fear!
awe, not anxiety!

The devil is disarmed! Like Cowardly Cobra in my yard, the Snake goes crawling back into his hole, defeated by the Word.

Though devils all the world should fill,
All eager to devour us,
We tremble not, we fear no ill;
They shall not overpow’r us.
This world’s prince may still
Scowl fierce as he will,
He can harm us none.
He’s judged; the deed is done!
One little word can fell him.
- CW #200 v 3 -

Tremble not, Mission Partner! Though our Lord is ascended to heaven, He’s not absent on earth! Just the opposite, He’s with us always and has total control! Everything is under his feet! Even the head of your worst serpentine nightmare!

Luther said it well. All it takes to fell the snake is just…

one little word.

John Holtz, Mission Partner

John Holtz