The Lion of Judah Roars in Me.

Once again, your PreScripture (10 points to the one that can name that reference) is within this post. Use this space to write comments freely and share with us what Words and songs are stirring in you.

---

I have always been the girl with her walls up, fearful of letting anyone close to me. Trust used to be my worst enemy. Why? Well honestly, I’ve been hurt a lot…and that was something I wouldn’t allow anyone around me to know. I feared rejection and so I became the queen of “I’m fine.” I battled my emotions and my hurt on my own. I convinced myself this was something I would just deal with for as long as my heart could bare and I put this line between me and Jesus. A line that He wanted me to cross- a line that I used to protect myself. You stand on this side, Jesus, and I’ll stand on the other. I was terrified of letting Jesus close because I feared that even He would eventually hurt me.  Here’s the truth that I had to learn, the amount of force I used to push Him away couldn’t overcome the amount of love He poured out 2,000 years ago.

Ladies, we have to understand that no matter how hard we push God away it is impossible for Him to let us go. Jesus’ work on the cross ensured this. Romans 8:38-39 states that “ Neither death, nor life, nor angels  nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height or depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” He wanted me and when I grasped that concept my life changed.

When you read that last line you probably thought I meant it changed to rainbows and constant laughter, coffee dates, and endless amount of shoes. But here’s the truth about Jesus, like anything worth having…it is difficult. It is difficult because He asks us to change.  Jesus loves us so much that He doesn’t just stop with the Cross, He pursues us passed it. He pursues us still. He pursues us because He wants more for us now. The love of Jesus is so deep, so wide, so vast that the assurance of our eternity was only a catalyst for what He would assure for us now. “I come that they may have life more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

Okay, so before that last scripture there is a sentence that many of us choose to ignore because it taints that beautiful image of an abundant life with Jesus. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” “But Jesus you promised abundant life, you promise you wouldn’t hurt me (my inner dialogue when I read this Scripture).” Jesus does this cool thing where every time I question His intentions, He reminds me of just how faithful and powerful His love is for me. So when I get scared that I would get hurt and the enemy could possibly win, He directs me to two stories in the Bible.

In the book of Daniel we find Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego- three followers of Jesus who would be cast into a furnace for their beliefs. Then we find Daniel, a faithful servant of Jesus, who would find himself in a pit staring into the face of the lion. I had to stop reading for a second because I had to ask Jesus why he was only furthering my belief that trusting Him would only get my hurt (I mean his servant is about to become a lion’s lunch). He, lovingly, told me to read further. There is always a resolve when we see past the current issue into what Jesus is doing. When you read along I saw that the three amigos weren’t burned and Daniel wasn’t eaten for dinner. Why? Because the one who came down from Heaven and walked through EVERYTHING we face knows how to guide His children out of a fire He has already walked through. Jesus had seen the fire before so he knew just how close the three boys could get before they were burnt. The lion in Daniel’s pit would be silenced and tamed for the Lion of Judah was roaring on His behalf. God’s power would prevail and shut the mouth of the lion.

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the holy one of Israel, your savior.” Isaiah 43:2-3. Do you remember the storm in the Bible that threatened the disciples? Those same waters that threaten to drown us will have to listen to the voice of Jesus declaring, “Peace be still.” Trust our Father today. Trust that He will protect and love His children. Trust that He has more for you. Trust that He has overcome the world already. Trust that you will not be hurt. Listen intently because as the enemy blares deceit and death into your ear, the lion of Judah is roaring and His roar calms seas and His roar shook Heaven when it echoed “It is finished.”

– Kaitlyn

---

1. Is there a storm that you are facing that you just don’t see a end to?
2. Have you ever put up walls between you and Jesus? I know we all have.
3. These two questions are hard, so you only get two. But, really reflect on your heart and if you are bold enough, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you out of you self-constructed lion’s den.
4. Below, share some of your favorite verses and songs that keep you going.