The Breath of the Lion

“Count it all joy my [sisters] when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. And let patience have its perfect work that you may be complete lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4). Kraig and I have been in a season of trial for the last few months. The trials have been varied and Satan has pulled out all the stops to try and discourage us. After a while you just get weary from all of the attacks. In these times it is easy to allow defeat to lead to despair. Our only hope in tribulation is to go to the truth of God’s word and allow our minds to be bathed in a biblical perspective of trials.

First, our God is so good that He is diligent to tell us time and again that we will have trials and tribulations as His children in this world (John 15:18-19; John 16:33; 1 Pet. 1:6-7; 4:12-14). God has not left us to wonder when we endured hardships and He even goes a step further to encourage us through His word to persevere in faithfulness during these times. He is quick to let us know we are in a fight but He doesn’t leave us there...

Secondly, God gives us armor to protect ourselves and a weapon for defense. Ephesians 6:10-18 instructs us on how to gird our bodies from head to toe! There isn’t a part of us left uncovered; scripture even describes this as the FULL or WHOLE armor of God. The great and mighty Warrior that we serve doesn’t give us partial armor. He doesn’t send us into battle haphazardly. He makes sure that we are protected from the deliberately styled hairs on our head (thank goodness for that) to the pink polish on our toenails! Then, He places a weapon in our hand so that we can do some damage! The sword of God’s word is a dagger by which we can inflict wounds against the schemes of the devil!

Thirdly, God has given us knowledge of our enemy. In times of battle there are soldiers whose specific task is to find out all they can about the enemy. Why? Because the more they know the better chance they have at protecting themselves against surprise attacks and the better chance they have at defeating that enemy. On the heels of the death of Osama Bin Laden we are bombarded with detailed information about how our military worked tirelessly to know him, know the people he surrounded himself with and eventually to know his whereabouts.

Girls, know your enemy but know him through the truth of God’s word! Scripture tells us in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be sober, be WATCHFUL! Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.” Then, the Lord instructs us how to handle these attacks in the very next verse, “Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your [sisterhood] throughout the world.” Do you see that? You are not alone! One of Satan’s greatest deceptions is making us believe that we are isolated in our trials. When he tempted Jesus in the desert, Jesus was isolated. Satan loves nothing more than to draw us out from a fellowship of other believers where we can receive encouragement and support, to a place of lonely isolation.

Fourthly, God has provided a rich support system for us in trials through the body of Christ. There are few times when it is more important for us to look for strength from the family of God (aka church!) then in times of trial. Jesus is the head of the church and more than half of the New Testament was written to churches or about them for a reason! God’s will for us is to join with a local body of believers that we may find comfort, encouragement, refuge and a place to sharpen our swords. Soldiers always have times of rest in between shifts where they can be renewed before the next patrol. We are no different. We need time to refuel, refocus and refresh. One hour a week on Sunday is not going to be enough for you or me to make it through an entire week of combat! We need to be in the word daily and involved in church (ie; Sunday School, small group, bible study, Sunday night, Wednesday night etc;) as often as we possibly can!

Lastly, He provides us with a Commander, a war hero, if you will. This One who leads us has already gone before us in battle. He has already been “tempted in all things as we are” but He has come out victorious, “yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15). I don’t know about you but if I’m headed into war then I want the most trained, successful guy out there leading me! I want him decorated from head to toe to the point where he has the license plate to show for it! Jesus, our Warrior King, has not only fought the battle but He has already won it! All we have to do is stand and watch the enemy fall! At the end of the ages, when He comes in all His resplendent glory we will only be spectators as He defeats the real “public enemy #1” once and for all! Watch as the final battle scene unfolds:

“Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems, and He has a name written that no one knows but Himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which He is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following Him on white horses. From His mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended.” Revelation 19:11-16; 20:1-3

Wow! We win! What security to know the outcome before we even begin! As the last few days have unfolded for Kraig and I, there have been some low points when we have struggled to remain steadfast and joyful. There were even times when we felt like the ridiculous would border on sublime as the next wave came our way. In a still quiet moment the Holy Spirit brought the prophet Daniel to mind. Daniel was busy about serving the Lord and doing his thing. He wasn’t looking for trouble but he was most certainly doing all to the glory of the Lord which means he got Satan’s attention! Because of His faithfulness and unswerving commitment to the one true God, he faced real lions. Imagine it. Hemmed in, constrained in a dark, isolated den of hungry lions, seeking whom they may devour. The low deep rumbles, the hot breath from their nostrils...It says in Daniel 6:23 that “Daniel was taken up out of the den and no injury whatever was found on him.” What a display of the glory of our God! And Daniel’s life was full of these experiences! Great faith faces great trial which results in great glory. I’ll say that again, great faith faces great trial which results in great glory! Girls, when we are on the front lines and busy about the Lord’s work we may feel the hot breath of the lion on our faces but praise God, we will emerge from the den unharmed as we see the glory of God revealed up close and personal! Now that’s a front row seat you won’t ever forget!