I was half asleep on a summer morning, spreading butter across a cinnamon raisin bagel, when I heard these words coming from our TV: “The lion goes out on patrol every few days to survey his lands and seek out predators that could come against his cubs.” This simple nature fact came from one of the main characters of my daughter’s favorite shows, Wild Kratts.
The Holy Spirit jolted awake my sleepy brain. “That’s what Jesus does for you. Not only does He guard you, but He goes out to seek and destroy the very real enemy on your behalf.”
As I was pondering this idea, Gabrielle spoke up, “Look, Mom, that lion is like Jesus protecting us from the devil and all of his attacks!” It was like she read my mind. Where two or more are gathered, right? And this time, Jesus was confirming the idea in me and her.
Jesus going out on patrol like the Lion of Judah makes me feel more secure and a little nervous all at the same time.
I like that Jesus can be our Lamb of Salvation but never loses His mighty power as the King of all Kings. He doesn’t timidly wait for an attack from the enemy but seeks out the evil and destroys it on our behalf.
Jesus is not afraid of what we will do. He is not afraid of the devil or any form of evil attack. He will protect and provide for us as His children, and we can live in peace because He’s on patrol.
The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.
Exodus 14:14 (NKJV)
I think my nervousness comes into play because I realize there is always a threat of attack. And sometimes, I feel alone when Jesus goes on patrol to protect me, even though I know I can choose peace knowing He’s taking care of the situation. As other translations say, I can stay calm, be silent, and be still.
I wonder if sometimes when we feel like Jesus is quiet, when we’re curious if our prayers are being heard, much less answered, and wondering if He’s even there, that really, the arrows are pointing to Jesus as the Lion of Judah. He may be on an offensive patrol during times when we think He is quiet in our lives.
Jesus is fighting for you. He gives you peace you can hold onto while He seeks the enemy on your behalf, fighting your battles, defeating the devil and keeping you in peace.
But it’s your choice to stay at peace while Jesus fights for you.
Every day this week, there has been the opportunity to choose peace in our family’s lives — the opportunity to choose to believe that the Lion of Judah is on patrol and that we can live in peace, stay calm, and trust we will not be conquered.
We’ve had the very real opportunity through health crisis, extremely difficult work situations, financial situations, feelings of loneliness, and all around everyday stress to believe that Jesus was seeking out the enemy on our behalf, fighting our battles.
What we really want is peace in the middle, don’t we? We want to know in the middle of the diagnosis, job loss, feuding friend, political drama, ignoring husband, and rebellious children that Jesus will win, that we will not be overcome by evil.
In the middle of all the forms of attacks we can face and when we feel like we’ve been left to face it alone, you can hold onto your peace. The peace that passes all understanding, that only comes from the Holy Spirit. The peace Jesus left for us, so our hearts will not be troubled or afraid. The peace that Jesus gives because He is the “the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, and [He] has triumphed” (Revelations 5:5).
You can hold onto the peace that Jesus, as the Lamb, died to give you and that He, as the Lion, fights for you to hold onto.
In the peace that Jesus provides, you will not be conquered, no matter the circumstances you are facing. I’m going to choose to hold onto the peace Jesus gave me no matter the circumstances and to look to the horizon for the Lion of Judah to return from His patrol as a victor on my behalf.
In the peace that Jesus provides, you will not be conquered, no matter the circumstances you are facing. -Stephanie Bryant: Click To Tweet Leave a Comment
Stephanie,
What a powerful reminder of the ferocious love of God. Another translation of Exodus 14:14 states: “The Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still.” Our job? Be still. I often think that God suits me up with his armor so that I can go out fighting. Actually, He does this as more of a defensive maneuver. I put on the armor of God and then I stand. It is up to God to do the fighting. Against the enemy, we have no chance on our own, but when we trust in the Lord to fight our battles, we can be more than conquerors. The lamb and the lion…thanks for this needed reminder of the power and strength of our Lord.
Blessings,
Bev xx
Thank you for this reminder today, Stephanie. Bev, I always glean so much from your comments too.
That was so beautiful, it gave me strength, so I shared it with my sister. God bless you!
Karen,
Thank you for your kind words!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Thank you for your beautiful devotion this morning! It amazes me how he speaks to us just what we need to hear as He did to me this morning! The scripture “ He will fight for you, you need only be still” has been my life verse. I have to be constantly reminded of that and Holy Spirit whispers it to me again and again. He will hold me fast threw whatever I may face today and walk right beside me. He is such a faithful Father and I am so thankful He never leaves us!
I am grateful this confirmed what the Lord has already been speaking to you!
Wow! I so needed to read this today.
Thank you, Stephanie, I had never considered this before; but sure what I need at this time as my 20 year old grandson, James, is in the US Army in Afghanistan. I will print your devotion to send to him. God bless!
I pray your grandson will be protected, be strong & courageous in his time there and be a bright light for Jesus. Thankful for his service.
Awesome Stephanie. How wonderful to be reminded that God loves us so much that He is constantly fighting for us!
This is speaking to me, right where I am! I even bought a small tile this week that says on it “Be Still” …I just love when this happens, and you’ve written this piece up perfectly, adding the perfect Scripture to reference. Thank you.. God is so amazing and good!
I love how God is working in your life. Thank you for your kind words about this post.
I love that your daughter immediately understood this truth!
https://www.kathycheek.com/2019/07/choose-trust.html
Thank you for sharing this Stephanie! I have been very anxious this week, for no specific reason I can identify. This helps to calm my racing mind and know I can claim the peace that Jesus rings by being still and knowing He is fighting for me.
Praying His peace will become yours and will remain steadfast in you. Calm Sheryl’s anxious heart, Jesus.
lovely ! this is true..the lion of Judah prevails !! a lady with cancer told me this..she began to pray hard, on her hands and knees for a long time , she had a vision of the Lion of Judah chasing a black form across a field and shredding it into pieces. she went to the Dr later that week and by miracle the cancer was gone ! our prayers are heard and that mighty God is always willing to hunt down the evil in our paths and destroy it.
Stephanie,
So often we feel we must go out & fight our battles. We don’t think of God as a warrior fit for battle. Hard to think of a loving, caring God as a savage beast. Yet that is exactly what He is – the Lion of Judah who seeks to destroy the enemy prowling around. When trials come & they will-all we need to do is call on the name of Jesus & He will come fight our battles. Our job is to be still & have peace. Sometimes we think we can fight these battles in our own strength. We don’t want or need any help. Truth is these battles aren’t of flesh & blood. They are against the rulers, the authorities, the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. That takes a lion to really fight for us. Don’t just look at Jesus as a loving, caring God. Also see a lion warrior ready to fight for His people.
Blessings 🙂
Thank you for this reminder today, Stephanie. Bev,The Lord will fight for us, we just need only to be still. God is so amazing and good.
If only we can be still, and hold onto His peace, it truly is a gift.
Peace while Jesus fights. Yes. This is the gift, the posture I want to choose. xx
I love thinking of it as a posture. Always a choice. Peace is ready for our taking. Thank you for your loving support.