The Cowardly Lion - The Christian Online Magazine

The Christian Online Magazine -

“You believe there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble.

James 2:29 NKJV

There are many Scripture references to satan, the enemy of our soul. One that many of us are familiar with is I Peter 5:8-9. It refers to him as a predator of the weak and the unsuspecting. His mode of operation is to prowl about as a roaring lion. His roar causes those who are fearful in heart to be easy prey for him. He roars lies, insults, and accusations continually in an effort to paralyze and devour his prey.

We are told to be sober and vigilantregarding his schemes. Lions do not hunt constantly and neither does he. He waits until just the right moment and then goes after his prey. Many of us would have been food for him long ago, if we had not been serious and consistent in our walk with the Lord.

I have learned many things, regarding the enemy of my soul. He often attacks when things are going well and I am feeling secure. I have also found that his attacks can be obvious…or very subtle.

Recently, I experienced something very strange. I was sitting at my desk doing a late night infusion. I was feeling sick and tired—and very sick and tired of feeling that way. My mind was coming up with all kinds of scenarios as I considered “options” that I had created myself.

I was seriously thinking about discontinuing the medication. I was tired of the infusions and all that accompanied them. I was contemplating ending my antibiotic therapy and having my cast removed. My thinking was that we would just see what the outcome of these actions would be.

That would be a plausible plan if it had originated in the heart of God. Unfortunately, it had not but instead was the result of fatigue and frustration and a sense of uncertainty.

I was sitting in front of my computer trying to figure out how to sell my plan to my family and physician. I knew that after almost six years of fighting this illness that they would not approve of my plan to end all the treatments.

I was pondering my plan when an email message came in. I felt too tired to read anything but I decided to take a quick look. I was exhausted and on the brink of despair. Still curiosity caused me to go to my inbox.

The message that came in is one that defies all that I know about computers. The lines that say: to, from, and subject were all-blank. It was a message to no one about nothing from nowhere. In all of my years online, I had seen some very strange things BUT never before had I seen anything like this.

As a scrolled down to read the body of the email, my eyes could not believe what they saw. There was only one word in the message and it was the word “QUIT.”

Immediately, something rose up deep inside of me. I was angry at the roaring lion that had been very busy seeking to devour me. The warrior within me immediately stood up, though physically I was still sitting down. The enemy had been trying to pull one over on me and was close to being successful. However, he always overplays his hand and this time was no exception.

Suddenly my fatigued body, mind, and spirit seemed to be infused with new Power for this battle. I also have come to see satan in a different light, which has been very empowering. Though I know that he is a deadly enemy who by the power of manipulation often gets the best of me—I also saw him as “a cowardly lion” for the very first time.

It has always been my feeling that letters, notes, and gifts sent or given anonomously were the acts of a coward. As I was growing up, I received anonymous notes occasionally. In most cases, eventually the sender would reveal themselves. No matter the content of the note, I found myself always asking the same question “why didn’t you sign your name so I could know who it was from.” The answers were basically all the same--”I was afraid.”

The email message that I received came from a coward who was unwilling to reveal their identity. In the natural, it does not seem possible--but in the spirit realm, nothing surprises me.

The moment that my eyes saw the word “QUIT” I know that I needed to get up spiritually--shake off the dust--and trade my garment of weariness for a garment of praise, instead. All thoughts of quitting immediately left me and I felt a new sense of hope regarding my situation. I remembered the importance of never quitting—as doing so allows the enemy to win.

I have given thought to “the cowardly lion” this week. Each time the image of the cowardly lion from the Wizard of Oz quickly comes to mind. The lion looked like a lion…and he roared like one too…but the truth of the matter was that he was plagued with fear.

The Bible says in James 2:19 that the demons tremble because of what they know about God. I cannot help but believe that their leader does the same thing. I believe that the enemy becomes flustered and afraid when he is losing ground in his attacks. Having already tried his obvious tactics be resorts to being a coward.

Someone once said that it is darkest before the dawn. In the darkest of times the “cowardly lion” becomes desperate to make us his pray because he knows that we are on the brink of a miracle which does great harm to him as Jesus shines forth in all of His glory.

Perhaps there has been some ferocious roaring going on in your life today. If so then most likely, the enemy is up to the same old thing and your breakthrough is on the way.

Be alert—not just to the obvious attacks but also to the subtle ones. He will use everything and everyone that he can to paralyze your faith so that you will be stuck in a rut unable to shine for Jesus. He wants to make a meal of you because of his evil appetite.

Do not give up--do not give in. He is a “cowardly lion” who cannot win. His fear of us overcoming makes him desperate to make us his prey. We gain strength to resist his attacks every time we pray.

Will you pray…or be prey today? Think about it.

Prayer:

Father God, Your Word says that we have power over the evil one, yet many times he comes as a “cowardly lion” and we are unaware. Help us to be sober and vigilant. Fill us with Your truths and help us to pray and to obey You.

Keep us from the enemy of our soul and buffer his attacks. Thank You for giving us a “warrior spirit” that refuses to quit no matter what. We know that is evidence of the power that You placed inside of us—a power that we are very thankful for.

In Jesus’ Name!