One of my favourite movies of all time is the 1994 animated classic, The Lion King. If you haven’t watched it yet I strongly encourage you to watch it soon.
As I write this article, I believe the Holy Spirit is drawing me back to one particular scene where the young lion cub, Simba, and his friend Nala are trapped by three hyenas. The outcome seems to be fatal.
The hyenas are circling the cubs, playing with their would-be prey. Simba, bravely, then decides to let out a roar to attempt to scare off the hyenas. Then as he roars, they hear a deep powerful roar come from within the caverns behind Him. This roar was not the roar of the young lion cub Simba but the roar of His powerful father, Mufasa.
At once Mufasa lunges out at the hyenas and they flee back in dread. This is such a powerful scene.
Family, the reason I believe this scene is on my heart today is because, isn’t this true for us? There are many times in life when we feel like the proverbial hyenas are encircling us, with potentially fatal consequences. We sit in the all too real circumstances of navigating inflation, tough work environments, difficult family dynamics and coupled with that health problems and the shadow of death.
And then when we encounter these things we might, best as we can, try to remedy it in our own strength or in the wisdom of this world. And very often those hyenas down back down. Right?
However, beloved of Jesus, our Saviour Jesus Christ of Nazareth goes by a few names in scripture, one of them being: “The Lion of Judah” (Revelation 5:5). And He has a way for us to navigate through the terrible hyenas of this life – not in our own strength or wisdom but in, and through, His.
Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (NIV).
One theologian who comments on Proverbs 3:5-6 states, “Trusting in the Lord with all your heart indicates that trust goes beyond the intellect but to a deep reliance on the Lord, a settled confidence in His care and His faithfulness to His word. Not leaning on our own understanding indicates that the truly wise will govern themselves by what the Lord Himself declares and not set out to define right and wrong for self.”
If you are in a situation where you feel out of your depth, it’s okay. I encourage you with the knowledge that we were not meant to navigate the pitfalls and challenges of this life in our own strength. We were made for relationship with Yahweh.
If you are feeling out of your depth, I encourage you turn to our Father’s Word for the wisdom you need. Turn to Him in prayer.
In fact, for us in the New Covenant, going to our great High Priest with our challenges is far more intimate. Why do I say this?
Hear what the Holy-Spirit led the writer of Hebrews to write in Hebrews 4:14-16, “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find the grace to help in time of need.”
No condemnation
Family, Christ does not condemn us when we are in situations over our heads. He does not insist that we navigate these tough situations by our own wisdom or strength.
He invites us to draw near to Him. To find the mercy and grace that we need from Him.
Beloved, what hyenas are circling around you today? What is making you feel helpless?
I encourage you turn to the Lion of Judah, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, today. Whatever your need, there is grace for you and me today. Let us turn to His word for the wisdom we need for this life. Let us turn to Him for the grace that we need to navigate the tough situations and circumstances in this life.
Family, Simba and Nala did not die because the mighty roar of Mufasa saved them. We don’t have to perish, because the Mighty Lion of Judah is for us. Turn to Him today.
I close with this quote from Puritan Theologian Thomas Watson:
“Christ went more willingly to the cross, than we do to the Throne of Grace.”
Turn to the throne of grace today with what is hurting you. He waits for you.
Love in Jesus always,
Andrew😊