07 November 2007 Devotion for Today "Playing Possum" Various Scriptures

07 November 2007 Devotion for Today  “Playing  Possum”   Various Scriptures

 

One of the many creatures that we have encountered here in the country is the possum.  I never know if I am supposed to call him by his formal name, opossum, or be informal- possum.  So immediately I do not know what to do with this creature who gets into my garbage cans and frightens my dog.

 

What do you feed a possum?  You don’t need to.  They are scavengers.  They get into garbage.   I also hear  they love sweet potatoes. Out in the wild they eat all types of things from persimmons to dead animals. I'm afraid some Christians are not much more discerning. Think about what we eat spiritually. Do we discern truth from error before swallowing something down (Acts 17:11)? What about the feeding frenzy taking place in front of the TV in our homes everyday.  Pretty smelly stuff, right? After all, we are what we eat. As our computer pro's say, "Garbage in---garbage out!". Could you eat a possum after it was fattened in the hollowed out carcass of a cow? Cow is cow, right? No thank you! Likewise, let's be careful what we take into our minds and hearts for these things, holy or unholy, reveal who we are (Proverbs 23:7). Some say possum is good if fixed right. Like I said, No Thank You---I'm afraid I might like it!

 

Here in North Carolina I have heard people use this word, possum, to describe someone mad who is swelled up or pouting- sull. If you've never seen a possum upset you have missed it. They hiss and carry on like the scariest thing around. Websters has the word "sullen" defined as, "show resentment, ill humor, and bitterness" We must beware lest we also take on this "possum- like" behavior. Aren't we at times too easily offended? Don't we sulk and swell up when things don't go our way? If we don't get over such foolishness soon it grows into bitterness. Friends are severed, families are broken up and God's spirit is grieved---what a loss! God's word can steer us away from such into love, mercy and forgiveness. "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:" (Eph 4:30,31). If we are not on speaking terms with our brethren---we're not on speaking terms with God either (Matt. 25:40).

 

We've all heard the expression, "Playing Possum". Another tactic the possum may utilize is to play dead. For example, if a hound or a hunter comes upon one it will often take on a dead like appearance, as limp as a rag. You can pick it up by the tail and it's as lifeless as can be. Some in the church think this is the best way to fight the good fight. Play dead and Satan will go away. Don't do anything, don't say anything, don't be anything! In that case---we may really be dead. The church at Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead". (Rev 3:1)  And while the possums are out roaming at night at times they get run over by cars. You see, possums are nocturnal creatures, thriving at night.  They go out into the road to lick the salt off the asphalt.  The next day their carcasses swell up in the heat of the summer sun.  And when you get around them, you know the stench of decay.   Likewise, dear Christians, we cannot survive in darkness. So friends, we cannot live a possums life and live with God in eternity. "Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober" (1Thess. 5:5,6).

Let's not forget who we are and what we are here for. Yes, those little fellows were real cute hanging on limbs by their curly tails!

 

Have a blessed day!

 

 

Rev. Jeffery C. Russell
Salem Baptist Church
Elizabeth City, NC
jefferyrussell@embarqmail.com

jcrussell@liberty.edu

 

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