A Nearby Lion
A little sentence in Lawrence G Green's chapter on the springbok migrations really got me thinking. He was actually quoting a man named Francis Masson, who said that "the migrating springbok were always followed by lions." This of course made me think of Peter's words to the early Christians: "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8)
Perhaps then, the church is like a herd of springbok! We move around together, but there is always a lion on the prowl, looking to hurt us. Jesus used similar language when He described Himself as the good shepherd, compared to the thief who only "comes to steal, kill and destroy". In His metaphor, we are sheep, not springbok - but still there is a predator who wants to steal from His flock, and kill some of His sheep. But, Jesus says, nobody can snatch His sheep out of His hand.
The Lion Cannot Snatch You
This made me think. Satan can't snatch you out of Jesus' hand. He can tempt you to walk away from Jesus, but in the end it is your choice, not Satan's. The devil made me do it is an old excuse for sin! Maybe he tempted you to do it, but as a Christian you certainly had the power to resist him.
If you're a follower of Jesus, you'll never be free of the lion's taunting and tempting. But with the Spirit in you, resisting temptation is possible. William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, wrote this in his book A Pure Heart: "You will be tempted, my Comrades, all through your earthly journey, even to the very gates of Heaven; but, thank God, temptation is not sin, and Grace, abundant Grace, is provided to enable you to triumph over all the fascinations of earth and all the devices of hell. You can come off more than conqueror. But, remember, although you may have a Pure Heart you will have to fight temptation."
The Power to Resist
Springbok, and sheep, must accept the reality that a lion is always nearby to tempt us and try us and fling mud and other things at us. But, hallelujah! He does not have the power to snatch you away! And, hallelujah! You have the power to resist!
Is it time that you begin resisting the lion's offers? Is it time that you start to reject him, and seek after a holy life that pleases God? It is time that you heed the words of Peter, and ensure that you always have "an alert and sober mind" so that he doesn't trip you up again?
This is serious business my friends! May it be that though there is always a lion nearby, your commitment to Jesus trumps his temptations, each time.
