Are You As Bold As A Lion?
“The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion.” (Proverbs 28:1 NKJV)
Life without the Lord can be a terrifying experience, don’t you agree?
Why? Since you never know when calamity may strike. As an unbeliever, you lack the protection and provision of God. Jesus warned everyone that the devil seeks to kill, steal, and destroy, but He offered us abundant life (John 10:10) as believers.
Think about this: Can we sometimes take the benefits of this extraordinary life in Christ for granted, forgetting how bleak and uncertain life can be without Him?
When you live on the dark side, life becomes sad and uncertain, with the attendant fear of falling victim to the devil's schemes. The godless become skittish and anxious, expecting the worst at any moment and lacking the peace that comes with the reassurance of God's Presence.
In stark contrast, the righteous can leave behind such nervous anxiety when they trust in God. The righteous face challenging situations with boldness and courage, akin to a lion fearlessly confronting a little lamb. This bravery is what believers are meant to exemplify.
For instance, when the young shepherd boy David heard the audacious taunts of the Philistine giant Goliath, he became as bold as a lion. Instead of escaping the threat, he sought an opportunity to achieve victory and glory for God. His courageous fight against Goliath (1 Samuel 17) left the giant defeated, and Israel emerged triumphant.
Throughout Scripture, we find accounts of God's righteous men and women performing remarkable deeds while displaying the courage of a bold lion. Hebrews 11's Hall of Faith portrays the great courage and faith of these individuals who faced seemingly insurmountable challenges as they represented the Lord on Earth:
“And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated—the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.” (Hebrews 11:32-38 NIV)
From this account, it becomes evident that not every narrative concludes with the victorious vanquishing of giants. Some righteous individuals paid the ultimate price for their faith in God, yet they remained bold and courageous despite persecution and torturous death. Their conviction, unwavering faith, and extraordinary courage were evident in their actions and what they endured for God's righteousness.
In the face of opposition that would have made the wicked flee, these men and women stood firm with the bravery and boldness of lions, representing God fearlessly on this planet. I pray that we will no longer fear what might befall us. May we, too, exhibit the courage of lions as we represent God wherever we go today! With God on our side, who can stand against us? Take strength and courage, for the Lion of Judah is always with you. There is no reason to retreat when you have the power to conquer giants in His name!
Action Steps
Could we become so preoccupied that we forget the immense benefits of God's abundant grace in our lives?
Take a moment to express gratitude to the Lord for His grace and the glorious light that guides our paths. We are indeed blessed people!
Knowing that we can cast aside our anxious thoughts as we confront life's challenges is comforting.
Let us embrace boldness and courage, for the Lion of Judah is always by our side. With His empowering Holy Spirit dwelling within us, let's go forth and overcome spiritual giants in His Name!
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