Lions (and Tigers!) and Bears!
Thoughts from 1 Samuel 17
Lions and bears are powerful and ferocious beasts. They can do a whole lot of damage to a flock of helpless sheep! They can quickly overpower a barehanded shepherd boy and make him a tasty snack.
Yet David, time after time, faced them square on and kept his father’s sheep safe. “I used to keep sheep for my father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, I went after him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him.” (34 – 35).
But David didn’t let these victories puff up his ego and make him think he deserved the shepherd’s medal of honor. No! He knew that it was God who had delivered him and he gave God all the credit! “It was the Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear.” (37).
David’s faith and confidence in God’s strength was built up as he trusted God each time a lion or bear crossed his path. The lions and bears were practice for David. They were opportunities for him to face ferocious circumstances with success later on. They were opportunities for him to experience God’s powerful strength and opportunities for him to give God all the credit. Facing the lions and bears earlier gave him the confidence he needed to later stand before the giant Goliath with only a slingshot and some stones.
I don’t know about you, but if a lion came in my path, my reaction wouldn’t be “Oh good! I have an opportunity to trust God!” I would find the nearest and safest route of escape! But if David had done this, his flock would have grown smaller — and so too his faith.
Lord, when lions and bears cross my path, may I not just run for cover, but may I trust You! Trust that You are my strength in weakness. Trust that You are my courage in my fear. Trust that You are my hope in desperate situations.
May I have the wisdom to see the lions and bears as opportunities to trust You, opportunities to experience Your strength, opportunities to give You praise, opportunities to prepare me for even greater things later on.
Even though they are scary and I don’t like standing face to face with them, thank You for the opportunities the lions and bears bring.
