The Bear and the Lion
Have you had moments where you felt as if you safely fled from a bear only to come face to face with a lion? You know, you finally get out of one bad situation only to find yourself quickly in another one. You find yourself wondering which way to turn.
No matter how you choose to describe it, there are times when life just seems to be a constant uphill battle. Trouble seems to track you down, no matter how hard you work to hide from it. Trouble comes at us from all directions. It comes in many shapes and sizes, in a variety of colors. Sometimes we find trouble. Other times, trouble finds us. A sense of isolation often accompanies trouble. We wonder if anyone sees us, or even cares.
No matter where trouble is located, or whether it finds us or we find it, God is an always present God. In Psalm 139, David considers the truth that his God, who is our God, is present everywhere, and there is no corner or dark space hidden from Him. Click here to read what David wrote about this ever-present, everywhere God.
When Joshua needed a boost of confidence, taking over the reins upon the death of Moses, probably wondering if trouble (or how much) was ahead, Yahweh said this to him – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). This was the third time Joshua was challenged by God to be strong and courageous (see verses 6 and 7).
We find these words in Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Zephaniah, one of the twelve minor prophets, said this amid his warning Judah and encouraging the people to repent – “The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing” (3:17).
And now the very familiar words of Psalm 23 (ESV), in which we find our Good Shepherd caring for us day in and day out, in life or in death, in times of plenty or want, in times of trouble or safety, in and though every situation that comes our way. Here I have broken down the six verses of this beautiful psalm into seventeen digestible pieces. I encourage you to read one at a time. Pause after each one, sit quietly, asking God to reveal the promise offered to you in and through the words you just read. Then move on to the next one, or instead, maybe do one a day for seventeen days.
The LORD is my shepherd
I shall not want
He makes me lie down in green pastures
He leads me beside quiet waters
He restores my soul
He guides me in paths of righteousness
For his name’s sake
Even though I walk through the valley of death
I will fear no evil
For you are with me
Your rod and your staff, they comfort me
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies
You anoint my head with oil
My cup overflows
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD
Forever
So, today, and every day, even when it seems like all you do is flee from a bear only to be confronted by a lion, have comfort, have assurance, that God is right there with you, ready to fight with you and for you. Let me end by sharing these words of hope found in Deuteronomy 20:1-4.
If you are encouraged by this or any of my writings, you can subscribe to be notified by email when I post something new. To subscribe, click here. Once you put in your email address you will then get an email confirming that you wish to subscribe. Thank you.