August 28 ~

In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea ... the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world ... I saw a beast rising out of the sea ... we are not contending against flesh and blood, but ... against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places ... evil spirits that are above ...
Is.27:1 (KJV); Rev.12:9 (KJV); Rev.13:1 (RSV); Eph.6:12 (RSV,Beck)

The evil, as a psychic atmosphere
of darkness, an engulfing sea, deep shrouds
this suff'ring planet. Intimately here,
imbibed with ev'ry mental breath, it clouds
- nay blinds! - men's minds unto celestial Light.
And no defense doth man's poor psyche boast
against the cunning, the relentless might,
the cold intelligence this heavenly host
e'er brings to bear, distorting Truth with lie ...

One faculty alone - faith! - penetrates
the shroud. Blest hearing ear! Blest seeing eye!
Blest gift of God, awakened by His Grace!
When exercised, it bears aloft the soul
and God's domain reveals, and makes man whole!