April 29, 2020

A sluggard says, “There’s a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets!”  Proverbs 26:13

Today’s scripture starts out by talking about a lazy person that uses outside conditions as an excuse not to go out into the world today.  He says, there is a ”lion” outside, an obstruction of some kind that is keeping him from living out the plan for his life.  I thought of this verse recently in connection with fear.  Our current circumstances have given light to those who would use every outside evil as an excuse not to do anymore that necessary in life.  I’m not saying that we don’t have a real crisis going on in our entire world right now. Certainly, these are fierce times!  What I am saying is that there are alternate ways to accomplish things even in the middle of a pandemic.  This is when we draw from our creative side!

Here’s the thing:  There’s always going to be a “lion” out there.  1 Peter 5:8 says, always be on the lookout because your adversary the devil is continuously out there like a roaring lion, looking for anyone that he can destroy.  However, the very next verse gives us the solution to this concern.  It says to resist and stand against him steadfastly in our faith, knowing that we all have to stand against him everyday no matter what we have going on.  This verse also implies that we are to help each other stand against and move forward in life.  No matter what we are up against each day, we must keep moving forward in the plan of God.  We cannot sit back and be idle because of daily circumstances and obstacles.  Now is when we remember that God’s Kingdom rules overall including that “lion”.  God’s grace gives us what we need, when we need it.  So whether it’s a “lion”, a sickness or fear of the unknown, we need to seek direction and an overcoming way to walk when the obstacles present themselves.  On the other side of that, reach out to help others who you see are stuck or paralyzed by the threat of the “lion”. 

Today I want to encourage you not to let the fear of what is to come stop you in your daily walk with God.  Be willing to walk out His plan each day no matter what is waiting for you out there.  He will get you through.  The truth is, God knows there is a “lion” out there, and He has equipped you to overcome those “lions” as you get the plan and use the weapons of warfare that He has provided.  Then, come along side others who are stagnant in their walk or maybe even just starting to walk out God’s plan in their life.  Don’t watch those that are easy prey be devoured by the enemy, hurry in to rescue and to help them stand against the enemy of fear, anxiety and even apathy.  Let’s all take the next step today and push that lion out of town!

Today’s scripture reading: 1 Peter 5