Strong as a Lion

 

I really love one of the animated movies which titled “Lion King”. Yesterday evening once again I watched its movie. In this movie we can see a lion named “Simba” fought against Hyena group. Until finally Simba proudly stand up to be a king! In the real world, lion dubbed as king of the jungle. Why? Here are the reasons; Lion has incredible ability to fight, powerful, predatory, brave, and even a lion be able to climb a tree. This makes lion tougher than tiger. Lion has a very famous style which is when the lion pounced on their enemy’s nape. It is believed could knock down and kills the enemies in a very short time. There is so many another reasons why lion called as king of the jungle.

But there is another thing from a lion that couldn’t be ruled out and this noted in the bible. Lion is a strong animal even strongest than other animals because lion never give up easily from anything. Lion is an unyielding animal.

a lion, mighty among beasts, who retreats before nothing (Proverb 30:30)

However, the bible pay attention even not on the lion’s fighting ability but rather to the mental ability to face many challenges.

So now, what is the relation between us as Christians with the lion? Ok here’s a bit explanation about it. Lion could be a good example or illustration for us how supposed we behave as God’s children when we face so many life’s challenges. We should being like lion. Strong, never easy to give up, had a mental hardiness, and not easily discouraged. But in fact, many of us as Christians do not have it all. We are oftentimes become very weak and vulnerable buffeted by storm of life, easy to waver when hit by many problems. Even not a little of us had give up before truly facing the challenges.

Actually, as Christians we have been equipped by God with various abilities and talents and we can use it to overcome many problems. Not only that, we are have been equipped with God’s Spirit who dwells within us.

Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. (Galatians 4:6-7)

These verses firmly stated that we are the son and no longer become a slave, and God’s Spirit lived in us. Verily, with all that we have we are not supposed to be a vulnerable and weak person. We should to be a tough person. God created us as winner, even more than a winner. Not a loser!

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us (Romans 8:37)

Let us briefly look at the story of David when facing Goliath’s challenge. At that time, David was still very young.  His job is only as a shepherd. Not like his brothers who accustomed and trained on the battlefield. But, facing a giant which equipped with powerful and complete weapon makes the soldiers fear. Then what happened to David? Whether David scared too? Absolutely no! David fully aware of who really he is. He also knows as to what God created his identity. Here’s his response to Goliath’s challenge…

David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” (1 Samuel 17:26)

David was not afraid at all because he really knows where is God will stand. David knows God will standing in the row where he is. And the fact, successfully, David beat Goliath who wear armor and complete weapon. Unbelievable! Goliath defeated only with a traditional weapon. Stone and a slingshot! This is David’s attitude who illustrates a lion’s attitude which not easily to give up when facing many challenges, whatever it is.

In the book of Revelation Jesus was said to be the lion of Judah who come from the line of David.

Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”(Revelation 5:5)

Jesus as the Lion of Judah has proven His true strength as the King of king and never steps back from His tasks in this world as the Lord commanded to Him. And finally His tasks completed on the Cross. Just for our save sake!

My dear reader, once again God created us to be like a lion, to be like genuine the Lion of Judah. We were created not to be a loser but conqueror, even more than a conqueror!  We were created as His eldest Child. We have equipped with various skill and abilities to be performed with a figure like a lion. And not only that, because God be with us who always ready carry us to the each level of success, no matter how difficult the situation that we face today.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

I will end this post with a few questions. How do we dare to face the life’s challenges today? Do we have the courage like David who has an attitude like a lion who never give up? Or we still in the category who could give up easily? Where is our position now?  Become a winner or loser?  This evening I would like to encourage you to contemplate this one:

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)

 I am not saying that as Christians we will definitely free from problems and obstacles. There are always obstacles and challenges in our lives. But with God, with a resounding, we will be able to overcome any problems and obstacles. As the verse above said, if God is for us, who can be against us? My dear friends, Do not ever give up, keep endure and struggling, to be a winner not a loser. Be strong as strong as lion. Have a winning mentality like a lion. Are we ready? Amen.  strong as a lion.

Karina – Living by Faith.

Photo credit: Google Images