On Alert

Early on the morning of May 10, 1775, a small band of American soldiers approached Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain in New York. The men were under the command of Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen, two colonial leaders.

Author Willard Sterne Randall notes that the British “had spent nearly £2 million to rebuild this fort” and “thousands of British soldiers had died to conquer it.” Yet when American forces approached the fort, the gates were open, and it was guarded by just one sleeping man.

As the volunteers entered the gates, the guard was awakened and fired his gun. But the gun misfired, and the man “threw it down and ran toward the barracks.” Soon, this important fort was in the hands of colonial forces. It was a dramatic defeat for the British despite their far superior resources.

This defeat has spiritual parallels. Every Christian faces an enemy that is prowling this world “like a roaring lion.” He is sly and devious, looking for “someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8), watching for moments when we are weak and vulnerable. Yet many Christians are like those soldiers at Fort Ticonderoga, asleep and not prepared.

Don’t take Satan or his demonic forces for granted. He is on the prowl, and you and your family are his targets. If you trust in God and are spiritually ready, you will experience victory. But you must be alert, on guard, and in prayer.