by Joanna Pierce
Every year in the spring, my husband and I don our camouflage and protective eye-wear, pull out the big guns, and face the residential carpenter bees. We (mostly he) fight valiantly, but those pesky bees always seem to have the upper-hand and reside victoriously.
I, of course, run screaming into the house every time I see one. They’re pretty aggressive, and I don’t appreciate being dive-bombed walking outside. Those little suckers are even bold enough to follow me in my car half-way down the street before turning back to their domain. You’d think they’re the landlords and we’re the buzzing pests.
In the past, my husband has given up when he’s ran out of ammo. And, by ammo, I mean hard-core bee-killer spray. We’ve determined it’s just not good stewardship to spend a quarter of our monthly budget to fuel the ever-increasing pile of empty spray cans in the garage.
So, after we go through 4-5 cans, with minimal casualties on the bee front, we live with these pests, unable to escape. My husband ignores them, and I cower in terror (big surprise).
They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns… (Psalms 118:12, KJV)
The enemy of our soul is much like these bees. He comes and surrounds us until we feel we like have no way out. He makes us think our sin is an unmovable weight, our chains of terror unshakable, and the spiritual battle impossible. We fight for a while, and then give up and learn to cope with these “bees” in our life.
Many years ago, my husband and I lived in a less-than desirable apartment. The environment was bad and we prayed desperately for a house. God provided and blessed us with our current home. The bees have stopped at nothing to try to overtake the blessing the Lord gave us.
But, God never intended for us to live this way. He doesn’t want us to dwell with the bees in our life. He didn’t create us to cower in fear or to live a defeated life in the shadow of our enemy.
God has made us more than conquers (Romans 8:37) and has given us power to fight our enemies (Luke 10:19)—even the bees. He’s given us weapons to fight, wisdom to overcome, and He will save us from our enemies!
When I heard a huge thud the other day, I ran outside to check on my husband. He came wandering around the side of the house, fly swatter in hand. “I know what kills the bees,” he said, lifting up the swatter. “And, for the ones that won’t come out of their hole…,” he lifted up his other hand. With a renewed vigor, and a smile cresting my face, I gazed upon another spray can. It was filled with Great Stuff.
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes. All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them. They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them. They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them (Psalms 118:8-12, KJV).
If you’re fighting bees the devil’s throwing at you, don’t give up. Ask the Lord to give you wisdom to win, and encouragement to fight. You will win the battle.
Joanna Pierce attends Apostolic Pentecostal Church in Bloomington, Illinois, under the pastorship of Bradley Nave, where she serves in the ladies, media, music, and outreach ministries. Joanna holds a general license with the UPCI, and evangelizes in the district and local community.
