The Bible has lots of references to lions. Daniel was thrown into a pit filled with them and was able to survive with the protection of God. David killed one with his bare hands to save a lost sheep from destruction.

Lions are referred to as stealthy, vicious, eager to devour and strong. They’re the second largest cats in the world and when they kill they usually use their sharp canine teeth to tear at the throat and eventually strangle their prey. God also references the devil as a lion in 1 Peter 5:8 when He says, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

What a vivid picture that paints. Lions lay in wait for their prey. They work in teams to surround, confuse and attack. They finally gain control and asphyxiate their victim. This is a good example of what the devil does to us each day as we struggle through problems, personal relationships, even when we’re involved in the work of the church. Sometimes it seems that Satan works even harder in God’s house, because that’s where he’s threatened the most.

There is another Lion indicated in the Bible.  First in Genesis, when Jacob named his son, Judah, Gur Aryeh, which is Hebrew for young lion.  Judah would be the ancestor of David, from whose line Jesus would be born. Later in Revelation 5:5, the Lion of Judah is revealed as Jesus. 

 “And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.” 

We’re still pursued by the devil and all his minions.  We must constantly be on guard against his malicious grip on us. He is eager to sap us of our strength – to suffocate us. Our battle goes on until we leave this veil of tears and enter heaven, but with the assurance of what God has done for us, through His own beloved Son, the Lion of Judah, our eternal life is preserved.  In the end, God wins and so do we.

God help me each day, each hour, each minute to arm myself with your Word. May it be my defense against the evil one who is waiting at every turn to destroy my faith in you.  Amen!