Have You been Swallowed by a Constrictor Snake or a Roaring Lion?

Read Time:4 Minute, 45 Second

By William Van Zyl

Published on October 3, 2025.

I want to share two of my recent artworks with you. Title One: “Light in the Darkness.”

IMAGE: TITLE: Light in the darkness. The complete painting on the museum wall. A dark black python is contrasted with a ball of light and a colourful garden around it (Credit: The Author). What will you choose, light or darkness? Oct 2025. Acrylic and oil on Plywood.

ARTWORK: Close-up of the belly of the python. See the people swallowed by the constrictor, locked away in darkness. Are you in such a situation?

ARTWORK: Close-up of the Light with a vibrant garden around it. There is a way out. His Name is Jesus.

IMAGE: ARTWORK TWO – TITLE: “Light of the World.” Acrylic over Oil on a Plywood board. Scraped to reveal the depth of the oil paint. Credit: Author (Oct 2025).

IMAGE: Close-up of the yellow candle. Wick at the top of the candle.

In ARTWORK ONE, people are swallowed by a massive constrictor. They had dabbled in the enemy’s territory—and were taken alive. Inside the belly of the giant anaconda, you can almost feel the life being squeezed from you. Your breath shortens, the darkness closes in, and despair whispers that the end is near.

In ARTWORK TWO, the yellow candle symbolises Yeshua as “The Light of the World.”

IMAGE: Python swallowing an innocent lamb. Do you feel like dark forces have swallowed you? AI-generated image. Credit: Canva AI (Oct 2025).

But do not give up hope. Even in the suffocating grip of death, there is still rescue. You can call on God for help. Even in your final, gasping moments—even when you are certain there is no way out—Jesus can save you. He alone can break the serpent’s hold and bring you into His light.

The Bible reminds us of this authority:

“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
—Luke 10:19 (KJV)

Satan has often been likened to a serpent from the very beginning. In the Garden of Eden, he appeared as the deceiver (Genesis 3:1). And today, he still seeks to entangle and constrict, suffocating hope and faith. But Christ gives us the authority to overcome.

Or perhaps you feel you’ve been swallowed not by a snake but by a roaring lion. Scripture warns us clearly:

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
—1 Peter 5:8 (KJV)

Maybe you feel like the small, fragile lamb caught in the lion’s jaws.

IMAGE: Innocent lamb in the mouth of a fierce lion. Are you feeling that you are beyond rescue? There is always hope—Jesus is the answer. AI-generated image. Credit: Copilot (Oct 2025).

Perhaps you feel your life slipping away, with only your ear and your feet left hanging from its mouth. Even then—even there—Jesus can rescue you. Call upon His name, and He will deliver you.

The Bible promises it plainly:

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
—Romans 10:13 (KJV)

No matter how dark the grip of sin, no matter how crushing the weight of despair, God’s arm is not too short to save. His army still goes forth. His voice still calls out: “I will rescue you.”

I leave you with this powerful reminder in song and word: “He will rescue you. I WILL SEND OUT AN ARMY, and I will rescue you.”

Link to video: https://youtu.be/gYR0xP1j4PY?si=szrlieQHWLjtuVV1

Here is a Prayer for Rescue and Salvation

Heavenly Father,
I come before You in my weakness, trapped in darkness.
I feel the coils of the serpent tightening around me.
I hear the roar of the lion seeking to devour me.
I confess that I have walked into the enemy’s territory,
and I cannot save myself.

Lord Jesus,
I believe that You died on the cross for my sins,
that You rose again in victory,
and that You hold the keys of life and death.
You alone have the power to break the chains of the enemy.
You alone can silence the lion’s roar.

Today I call upon Your name.
Forgive me of all my sins.
Wash me clean in Your blood.
Pull me out of the darkness and into Your marvellous light.
Be my Saviour, my Lord, and my Deliverer.

From this moment on, I belong to You.
I renounce Satan and all his works.
I choose to follow Jesus Christ with all my heart.
Thank You for saving me, for rescuing me,
and for writing my name in the Book of Life.

In the mighty name of Jesus, I pray—Amen.

If you have prayed this prayer, please reach out to a local Bible-believing church. Share your encounter and needs with the spirit-filled people of your church. Attend church regularly. Read your bible daily and pray three times a day wherever you are. God bless you.