In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Dayಮಾದರಿ

DEFENSELESS ON PURPOSE

Do you remember the way Scripture describes Satan? “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8 NKJV).

One of Satan’s primary tactics when it comes to neutralizing you spiritually is fear. Satan wants to scare the heaven out of you. He wants to put you on your heels so you become reactive and defensive.

What we need is courage to chase the lion. And what is courage? Consider this definition: courage is putting yourself into defenseless positions when you have good reasons for it.

Isn’t that what landed Daniel in a lion’s den? Is that what Esther did by defying royal protocol and approaching the king without being summoned? And isn’t that what Jesus did on the cross?

While Jesus hung from the cross, the people mocked Him. They hurled insults at Him. And they challenged Him. “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself” (Luke 23:37 MSG).

Can you imagine how difficult it must have been to hear those words? Because Jesus could have saved Himself! Once, He said,

Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way? (Matthew 26:53-54)

Jesus could have aborted His redemptive mission with one call for angelic backup. But He wasn’t trying to save Himself. He was trying to save you. So He put Himself in a defenseless position. He had the courage to go to the cross.

Jumping into a pit with a lion is a pretty vulnerable thing to do. Standing up to Satan and his wicked host seems almost hopeless. But when you put yourself into a defenseless position for a suitable reason, it sets the stage for God to show up.

If you truly were convinced that God can do all things, what would be a defenseless position you could put yourself in so that God’s glory could be manifested?