Unexpected Danger

July 13, 2026: He thought he was completely safe.

The bison looked peaceful—lying on the ground, not moving, not threatening. From 30 or 40 yards away he paused, lifted his phone, and snapped a quick picture. But in an instant everything changed. The bison rose, locked its eyes, and charged straight toward him and his grandson.

He tried to divert the animal, running around a tree to pull danger away from the boy. But the bison caught him—launched him into the air—and when he hit the ground, his hip fractured in multiple places. By God’s mercy, he’s recovering well after surgery in Bozeman, Montana.

This story illustrates a truth for us found in 1 Peter 5: “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.  Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers[a] all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.” 1 Peter 5:8,9

The enemy rarely announces himself.

He rests quietly in the corner of your life—unnoticed, unchallenged, unresisted. A habit you tolerate. A temptation you think you’ve mastered. A sin you assume is “lying down.” And then, suddenly, it rises and charges.

The devil doesn’t need you to fear him.

He only needs you to stop paying attention.

-On the watch, Pastor Larry