“.....when
you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as
the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is able to work
in you who believe.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13b)
The
lion is neither the most powerful beast in the animal kingdom; nor is it the
fiercest or the fastest, but it is the bravest and the most determined and to
top it all fearless. Nothing can stop it, particularly when it is hungry, from
attacking another animal for prey -- much more so when its cubs are restless
for food.
The
Christian can be likened to a greater lion, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah –
Jesus of Nazareth, the Indomitable Lion. He alone has conquered sin and death
to give all humanity ‘the right of way’ by which to access eternal life. As
children of God, we automatically become sons and daughters of the Most High
God. His authority is bestowed on us to walk in victory on this earth. He
instructs us to “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all
creation.” (Mark 16:15)
The
good news each Christian has to share to the world is that it is needless to
harbour any fear. Our Lord Jesus has done all that is required to wash his
children from the guilt of sin. In the dying minutes on the cross, as He gasped
His last breath, He shouted: “It is finished!” By this He meant that mankind’s
archenemy, Satan, has become a toothless bulldog.
The
tormenter is no match for the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Conqueror. As a
result anyone who acknowledges Him as the Ultimate Arbiter, the Giver of new life,
and the Winner over all trials and tribulations is given the assurance to live
a fearless life - assured of God’s protection.
Multiple
instances in the Word of God, the Bible, the words of assurance and comfort are
echoed. “Fear not!” “Fear not, for I am
with you.” “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” “I will be with you even
to the end of the age.” “Nothing shall by any means harm you.” These assurances
attest to the fact that there is a formidable but negative force out there in
the arena. But we are told repeatedly, it is needless to fear; for there is
nothing that the devil can do to you or me. The devil is as big as we make him;
but each time we magnify him, we make our God look smaller in our eyes.
The
Lord Jesus asserts, “For I have conquered the world.” We deduce
that
the devil, who rules this world, is a defeated foe. Skilled in his tactics of
intimidation, the devil will appear to pose a threat to those who do not know
about his fallen status. Whenever he directs his “fiery darts” at you, tell him
to the face: “No weapon forged against you will prevail and every tongue that
rises against you shall be silenced.” (Isaiah 54:17)
Whenever
you exercise your ‘right of way’, it is primarily because you are privileged.
Every person bows. In traffic, people give way letting you go first. The Bible
calls you “the head and not the tail.” Indeed you are royalty, and must be
treated as one. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy
nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who
called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)
Remember
God is your Father. If humans can give gifts to their children, how much more
could He not do for them. “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give
good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the
Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:13)
We
have a Father who bears the title; “God the Blessed and only Ruler, the King of
kings and Lord of lords, who alone lives in unapproachable light, whom no one
has seen or can see.” (1Timothy 6:15-16) It is His nature to give generously:
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church
and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.
(Ephesians 3:20)
Eternal
life is our reward. “Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord
delivers them from them all.” (Psalm 34:19) Your right of way depends largely
on the relationship that you knit with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit
– three separate entities yet unique in character. Speak to Him daily as your
Father, not like to a stranger. He bids you to “Ask and it will be given to
you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For
everyone who seeks receives; he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks, the
door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7) Have you asked, sought and not found Him?
Start
with loving Him because He first loved you. He loved you when you were a
sinner, unworthy of love. You are merely reacting to His gesture of an outstretched hand. Then obey
Him because “Obedience is better than sacrifice.” Take pleasure in doing His
bidding. Know that “His commands are not burdensome.”(1 John 5:3)
Coming
to Jesus, surrendering your life and your all to Him is the best decision you
can make in your lifetime. He promises to take care of all aspects of our life.
“And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in
glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)
Our
Lord Jesus during His earthly sojourn saw to it that you lacked nothing. He
prepared a Way out of all your troubles. He has gone before you to His heavenly
abode to prepare a room for you, Where? in His Father’s house. (John
14:1-2)
He
invites one and all to “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I
will give you rest.” (Mathew 11:28) Count yourself among the BELOVED, when you
do.
