Like A Roaring Lion
In writing to the Early Church, Peter warned the believers of an adversary that was determined to destroy their faith. He compared the devil to a roaring lion that was on the hunt for those weak and unaware of his tactics. When a lion roars, one immediately feels fear and the natural response is to run. Even when a lion is in a cage, his roar induces fear to those around. This is just what the lion wants. Fear makes one vulnerable and clumsy. As the prey runs, the lion has the advantage and is easily able to overtake and subdue him.
One day as Samson was going down to the town of Timnah, he was attacked by a roaring lion. The lion, I am sure, thought that this man Samson was going to be his dinner that day, but instead of running from the lion, Samson turned on the lion and tore him to pieces with his bare hands. Instead of running, he resisted. Instead of being overcome, he overcame. Instead of being food for the lion, the next day he ate honey from the carcass of the lion.
When a lion attacked the sheep that David was tending, instead of running, he went on the offensive and killed the lion. Offense is the best defense. When the enemy comes as a roaring lion, we are to resist him. When he comes in like a flood, the banner of the Lord is raised against him. Because David stood his ground against the lion, he could confront and defeat a giant.
The roar of the lion is to instill fear, and if we give into fear we will be defeated. In the great financial depression that rocked the world in the early 1930’s, Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected President of the United States of America. In his inaugural speech he made a statement that has been quoted over and over again. He said: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” In a time of great stress and national insecurity, the enemy was identified. The Roar of the Lion, Fear, had to be confronted.
The church was never build for defensive purposes. She has been told to prevail against the gates of hell. The believers are sent out as sheep among wolves, but these sheep are fierce warriors and the enemy is under their feet. For heaven to be populated, hell must be plundered.
As with Samson, when the Spirit comes upon us, we have supernatural strength. Why should we fear, when “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world,” (I John 4:4)? The Church has been granted authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, not run from them. Rejoice, then, because the enemy has been placed under our feet.
Scriptures to meditate on:
Judges 14:5-6; Is. 59:19; Mat.16:18; James 4:7; I Peter 5:8; I John 4:4; Luke 10:17-20.