Grizzly

“...the Lord will fight for you" (Exodus 14:14).

Greetings,

There’s a scene in the movie The Bear where a little bear cub stands up on his back legs and tries to scare off a menacing cougar with his baby roar.  It’s a valient effort, but ineffective.  Suddenly, however, a much bigger and powerful roar frightens off the cougar.  The little cub turns around and sees his friend - a massive, full-grown, fearless grizzly – towering over him in a protective stance.  Since I am one of those people who whoops and hollers and claps in the movies, I cheered loudly and unapologetically during this compelling moment.  So did a lot of other people.   That’ll teach that cougar to watch out who he messes with!

  

We all have a “Grizzly” who fights for us too, a big and powerful Force Who has our backs.  He hears our puny roars and rushes to tower over us causing any enemy to retreat.    

PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You that You fight for us.  We aren’t nearly strong enough to live life on our own.  And we are not powerful enough to confront every problem and threat we face.  You are, and we are grateful You are willing to stand up for us.  Whether it’s financial, relationship, emotional, vocational, or physical struggles, they are no match for You.  We invite You to send a mighty roar and bring us victory.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

The Teeth of the Lion, The Claws of the Bear, and Philistines~

1 Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Him Who gives me strength.”

Last time we checked, David the shepherd boy had volunteered to fight the giant.  King Saul tried to dissuade him, reminding him that Goliath had been a “warrior” since his youth, but “David persisted.”   He was only a boy but he was a prepared one; even though his title was shepherd and not warrior, David had confronted some things in his past that equipped him to face Goliath. 

I Samuel 17: 34-37 David said, “I’ve been a shepherd, tending sheep for my father. Whenever a lion or bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I’d go after it, knock it down, and rescue the lamb. If it turned on me, I’d grab it by the throat, wring its neck, and kill it. Lion or bear, it made no difference—I killed it. And I’ll do the same to this Philistine pig who is taunting the troops of God-Alive.  God, who delivered me from the teeth of the lion and the claws of the bear, will deliver me from this Philistine.”

Glory hallelujah!  That’s an inspiring response if ever I have heard one! David is so confident because he has a proven track record with God. 

A few years ago I had a friend whose son was being tested for testicular cancer.  She was so calm that it actually unnerved me.  I flat out asked her one day how she could have so much peace, and her response both blessed me and made me feel like a faithless ding dong.  “Yenise, God has done so much for me already that I know He will help me no matter what the diagnosis is.”  Her son, praise God, DID NOT have cancer, but that conversation has stuck with me all these years, and so I ask: Has God ever delivered us from something before?  YES YES YES HE HAS, which is why, like David, and like my friend, we can face any threats that come our way.      

Notice, however, that while David did the wringing and killing, he credits God with being the One who delivered him.  Other versions of the Bible say, “God rescued me,” and “God saved me.  David also credits God for the positive outcome he expects when he goes out to fight Goliath. 

There are things we have to do, and some of those things include facing lions, bears, and Philistines.  But God is with us each step of the way, and He will deliver, rescue, and save us.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You that You are a Deliverer, a Rescuer, and a Savior.  We face so many things in our lives, but You equip us to handle it all. The teeth of the lion the claws of the bear, and Philistines are no match for us with You on our side! In Jesus’ name, AMEN~