“I walk in danger all the way,
I Walk in Danger All the Way — #716 in the Lutheran Service Book. Translator: D. G. Ristad; Author: Hans Adolf Brorson, Tune: DER LIEBEN SONNE LICHT UND PRACHT
the thought shall never leave me
That Satan, who has marked his prey,
is plotting to deceive me.
This foe with hidden snares
may seize me unawares
If I should fail to watch and pray.
I walk in danger all the way.
I walk with Jesus all the way,
His guidance never fails me;
Within His wounds I find a stay
when Satan’s pow’r assails me;
And by His footsteps led,
my path I safely tread.
No evil leads my soul astray;
I walk with Jesus all the way.”
“I walk in danger all the way.” That statement can be confirmed by a quick glance at daily news reports of disasters and wars. Closer to home, we may fear home break-ins or violence on city streets. Closer still, so close that “the thought shall never leave me,” is the foe who “is plotting to deceive me.” Like a lion on the prowl, Satan quietly stalks us and offers tempting suggestions that appeal to our sinful, self-centered natures. These “hidden snares” easily catch us unaware, the bit of gossip, the small lie, the choices that satisfy our own desires instead of fulfilling God’s commands. Speaking of the ancient serpent, that stalking lion, God tells us, “Resist him, firm in your faith” (1 Peter 5:9a ESV).
Resist him? How can we resist an angry lion? By our own strength we could not withstand the enemy, but we are never alone in our resistance. To save us from Satan’s snares, Jesus submitted to the dangers that lay before Him. Satan had marked his prey and “the power of darkness” had its hour (Luke 22:53b ESV). Jesus was nailed to the cross, where He suffered the just penalty of death that we deserved for our sins. Perhaps the devil thought he had won when Jesus died, but the evil foe had marked the wrong prey. The cross of Jesus was the hidden snare that snapped shut on that ancient serpent. Jesus rose in triumph over sin, death, and the devil, and the empty tomb revealed Satan’s failure. Now, in the power of the Holy Spirit, we stand firm in the faith to resist the devil and his deceitful snares. Through faith in Jesus, we are dressed in God’s armor to war against “the spiritual forces of evil,” however tempting they may be (Ephesians 6:12b ESV).
The evil foe still stalks us, but Jesus walks beside us with His never-failing guidance. Our Lord does not offer “hidden snares,” but the clear guidance of His Word. That Word reveals Jesus’ footsteps, marking out the path to follow. We will often stumble and fall into temptation (Satan is a defeated, but still very clever, foe). Humbly repenting of our sins, we are safe and secure within Jesus’ wounds, the precious wounds by which we are healed and forgiven.
We Pray: Jesus, help me to be alert to Satan’s deceitful snares. Lead me in paths of righteousness. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn, “I Walk in Danger All the Way,” which is number 716 in the Lutheran Service Book.
Originally published in The Lutheran Hour on June 09, 2024
Used by permission from International Lutheran Laymen’s League, all rights
Reflection Questions:
1. How do you stay alert to the dangers around you?
2. Besides “serpent” and “lion,” can you think of other terms to describe the devil in the Bible?
3. Did you know that God has given us great gifts for combatting Satan and strengthening our faith? See what they are in Ephesians 6:10-18.