The Lion

You are my hiding place;
   you will protect me from trouble
   and surround me with songs of deliverance.  Psalm 32:7

 Imagine this.

 You are standing in a desolate place, perhaps a desert.  What do you see?  Envision a stream running through the barren land.  The stream of living water was put there to refresh you. Drink deeply.  It is life, hope and beauty.

Do you see Jesus?  Set your eyes on a Lion by the stream resting by the one and only flourishing tree.  It's the Lion King of Kings.  The Lion of Peace to you today. In Alaska, His name would be Denali, “The Great One.”   He is bidding you to come to him.  He is asking you to bury your face in his mane.  As you approach Him, you realize how large He is.  You can be completely engulfed in His mane.  It is a warm place of peace and rest.  There is absolutely no fear, no worry, just perfect love.  Hear his heart beat?  Listen to him purr.  Does a lion purr? No...  Could He be humming, singing over you? Most likely.  You are protected, hidden away from the enemy.

Peek out of His mane for a moment.  What do you notice?  Far off in the distance there is evil, watching, waiting and laying traps for you. You hear the Lion King give a short low growl under His breath.  The enemy flees!  Vanishes!  Darkness is forbidden to come near.  Even the slightest growl sends the enemy retreating.

Watch out! The Lion is getting ready to ROAR! When the Lion roars the enemy will be obliterated.

Jesus,  I hide myself in You.

“Denali,” annihilate the enemy in my life with Your ROAR!

I hear your ROAR setting all things right in my life.

The Scarlet Letter

No one's ever seen or heard anything like this,
   Never so much as imagined anything quite like it—
   What God has arranged for those who love him.  I Corinthians  2:9

What you have experienced so far in your life has probably not fully prepared you for the amazing things God has in store for you.  A life filled with hope and incredible adventures.

There are two ways to divide up people in the world: those who let their past define their future and those who are able to conceive a future much bigger and broader than their past.  I want to be counted in a group of people in the world who are able to conceive a future much bigger and broader than the past. I won’t let my past define my future!

B  Remember the movie The Scarlet Letter? The woman in the movie who committed adultery had to wear a red "A" on her front to display her shame.  When one is divorced we theoretically feel we are wearing a scarlet "D" for all to see.  Will this define my future?  Hardly.  My spirit-filled friend I visit for encouragement said, "We don't wear a "D".  Strip it off.  God puts on us a large "B" for Beloved or an "R" for Redeemed!"  What great wisdom and insight.  Sounds like a T-shirt idea.

The hope that is given to us as a beloved, redeemed individual is hardly imaginable.  What great thing does God have in store for you?  Hope takes risk! Face the risks with courage.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Don’t try to figure everything out on your own.  In everything you do give God the glory and He will guide and direct everywhere you go! (Proverbs 3:5-6) Your future is bright. I pray this prayer everyday:

 

Lord, Amaze me today!