Using Alpha Power to Be Alert

UV 2930/10000 Using Alpha Power to Be Alert

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1 Peter 5 v 8

In the story of the ten virgins narrated by Jesus, all the maids were pure, faithful, ready to receive the Lord, the Bridegroom but only the ones who were alert were able to receive Him and their reward. Jesus is exhorting us to be sober or level-headed and alert all the time. We should not let our guard down anytime as the enemy, the devil can pounce upon us as a prowling lion waiting for its prey to look down or away from the line of attack. Jesus Himself showed us the model of how to parry the thrust of the temptations of the enemy of power, glory, pride and something as necessary as bread to satisfy His hunger after forty days of fasting. It was His Alpha power at work. He quoted scripture to resist the enemy.

The 300 men who were finally selected to form Gideon’s small army to capture Jericho were those who stood alert on their feet even while drinking water from their cupped palms, their eyes scanning the ground before them. Ultimate success and victory comes to those who are spiritually vigilant, mentally alert and physically ready. Apart from the Word, we derive such Alpha power to be so alert through prayer. Jesus exhorted his sleeping disciples in the garden of Gethsemane to be “watchful and pray.” If we are not watchful, we will be a prey to the adversary. We are to be vigilant about our own inherent weaknesses and appropriate the grace to overcome our weaknesses.

The Lord has warned us that He would come like a thief in the night. This again requires us to be vigilant to look out for signs of the return of the King. In a time of darkness, we are most inclined to give in and sleep. But the Lord expects the faithful to wait for the daybreak like a watchman eagerly waits for the first glimmer of dawn. We are to discern the times, act soberly and demonstrate our alertness, our liveliness, our prowess as prayer warriors, our faithfulness to the details of the word of God, our readiness to witness to the truth of the gospel, our readiness to use every opportunity to do good to others and sow the seed of eternal life in their hearts.