June 28 - Come On and Roar You Lions Roar!

 Read today’s texts first: Amos 1-3; Psalms 80; 2 Timothy 4

 MAXIMize YOUR DAY

Don’t face the “roaring lion”
without the Lion of Judah right by your side.

Lions aren’t mentioned that often in the Bible, so when two of the readings randomly refer to them, it’s worth a further look. I am fascinated by these magnificent, deadly animals. While I wouldn’t want to run into one in my backyard (we recently had a cougar alert so it could happen), I am transfixed watching them in a game reserve or on TV. Whether it’s the king of the jungle in Africa, the asiatic variety common in ancient Palestine or the mountain lions we have in BC, they are awe-inspiring! One-on-one, without a weapon, we will lose to a lion every time. When they are our enemy in Scripture, the inference is that we can only overcome them with God’s help, the Lion of Judah, the undisputed King of all kings (including the king of the jungle)!

Amos is filled with prophetic warnings: The lion has roared - who will not fear? (3:8).   He goes on to say: This is what the Lord says: “As a shepherd saves from the lion’s mouth only two leg bones or a piece of an ear, so will the Israelites be saved” (3:12). This is not good news - they will be saved but only small parts of them! At first he predicts bad news for Israel’s enemies but this lion analogy actually refers to Israel. They will be attacked and torn apart because they have forsaken the one true God (3:11-15). Like we said, you don’t go up against a lion without God’s help!

Paul presents the other side: I was delivered from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom (4:17,18). Whether you are dealing with actual lions, like Samson or David, or allegorical lions, like Peter or Paul, God trumps them all. Peter directly referred to Satan as a marauding lion: Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.... And the God of all grace... will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast (1Pet. 5:8-10).

“Lord, there are lions lyin’ in wait, ready to devour me if I decide to face them alone. But when I say I want the Lion of Judah on my side, I ain’t lyin’!”