We were looking for a rock to use as background when recording a sermon. I thought the Steenbras Dam above Gordons Bay would be ideal, but they didn’t want to let us through the gates. We drove along the coast to Rooiels, but found no rocks close to the road. The only nice place we saw also had big baboons and we kept driving.

When we got to Pringle Bay, Johan told us about the time they spent the night there with friends. A troop of baboons started moving through the houses. He said that never before or ever since had he seen such aggression in an animal as he did that time. Everybody ran away in fear.

If we’re so afraid of a baboon, what would we do if we ran into a lion?

I’ve been attacked by lions in various areas of my life. Not a real lion, but a challenge that threatened to overcome me. Recently, when I had Covid and struggled to breathe, my chest felt really tight. It felt as if a lion was sitting on my chest. I felt as if a lion was tearing me apart.

A lion can attack you in many ways. The one that attacks you the most is the money lion. Something happens. You lose your job or an investment goes south, or a fraudster had his dirty fingers in your wallet, or you made a bad choice – and you can’t meet your obligations at the end of the month.

The lion might attack you in your relationships or at work, or in your business, or in another place in your life. This is completely normal. Peter said that the devil was walking around like a roaring lion looking for someone to tear apart.

So, what do we do with the lions in our lives?

We must learn from the men in the Old Testament.  ³³Through acts of faith, they toppled kingdoms, made justice work, took the promises for themselves. ³⁴They were protected from lions, fires, and sword thrusts, turned disadvantage to advantage, won battles, routed alien armies.

Because they trusted God, they survived. They were attacked by real physical lions, but those lions couldn’t tear them apart. When they were thrown into the oven, not one hair on their heads was scorched. When great armies moved against them, not one sword touched them, because they believed.

They knew God was with them and would protect them. They believed whole-heartedly that God was with them and would help them overcome the challenge, and fight the lion, the fire, the war with them. And when you see that picture of the awesome God who is fighting with you and know that you’re not alone, you are not afraid and tackle the challenge you face with courage. Then victory is around the corner.

May this become true in your life. May you take on the lion, fire or war ahead of you with new courage, because you believe and trust that God is fighting with you and will take care of the victory.

Scripture
Hebrews 11:32-38

Reflection
What lion do you fear in your life?
Do you believe that God is fighting the fight with you?
What do you have to do to chase away the lion?

Prayer
Father, sometimes I get so afraid when I look around me. It feels as if life is too hard. I really need You. I believe You can help me. I believe that You are fighting with me. Now is a good time to help me. In Jesus’ Name, amen.