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June 9 Big Things Too!

There are three things that are stately in their stride, four things that move with stately bearing: A lion, mighty among beasts, who retreats before nothing; A strutting rooster; a he goat; and a king with his army around him. ~Proverbs 30:29-31

God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of “Jesus,” every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ~Philippians 2:9-11

Did you notice that all of the examples mentioned in the proverb above are male? Hmmmm! That could be significant. But I really don’t know how to elaborate on that, or even if I want to try, cause, uh, I’m a guy too. But think of it this way. A lion might really have some strength of his own to rely on. But a strutting rooster? Isn’t that kind of comical? Then he comes to a goat butting his head into everything in a most unwelcome way, and then he talks about a human king, putting on airs in front of his own men? Could the author be leading us down from true greatness to ultimate tom foolery?

Nevertheless, most of us do like standing behind someone who is confident. They make followers feel safe. First of all, we feel safe because they are protecting us. Secondly, we feel safe because, if the leader goes down, the rest of us can scatter for cover. I think of George Washington on his white horse. He bolstered confidence in the troops, but he was always a target as well.

Sorry about another “Chronicles of Narnia” reference, but when I think of the stately lion, it brings to mind the parade in the book, “Prince Caspian,” with Aslan at the head, making all things right and gathering the oppressed in his train as he marches along. That’s the kind of parade we all long to be a part of. Unfortunately, most parades of this sort in our world, such as the stately king with his army all around him is not one of restoration, but conquest. Instead of those who are healed and restored trailing behind, the end of the parade is usually occupied by those who are going to their death.

The world finds its leaders by playing, “King of The Mountain.” The world thinks it’s not “the just who will live (and rule) by faith,” but rather, the strong who will live, by force. All these kingdoms, will eventually fail because they are built on the shifting sand of man’s strength and ability. It can be a good thing when the leader has earned his place through integrity and a desire to bring about good. But the downside to this kind of leadership is that it’s quite another thing when he has taken this place through pride and arrogance. Pity those in that man’s train because he is leading them to certain destruction.  

Jesus set about earning the right to lead us in a whole new way that is out of this world. He sets for us, the right type of leader to follow. He did not assume His position by force or arrogance. He earned it through humility and serving. He earned the right to be declared our stately king, by purchasing each of us with His own blood. This was not an act of foolishness or arrogance on His part, but obedience to His Father above. Now, He leads us in a parade better than Aslan’s could ever be.

Jesus is great! And though the enemy is constantly targeting Him, it has already done its worst, and failed. We never have to scatter to find our own safety because our best shelter is found by remaining in His ranks. He has already won the war. Our job is to hang on to that fact even though what we see around us may tempt us think otherwise. Our confidence is in Him, and our victory is sure.

“Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Cor. 4:16-18) Jesus, our leader is straight ahead. He is now the king, stately in His stride, with us, His army, all around Him.

When we lived in Maine, our kids attended the local Christian school in Bangor. Before each sporting event, in the huddle, the students would all gather around their coach who would lead them in a prayer and then, all the kids would shout out together: “All for God!” That’s what I almost feel like cheering now as we advance, with Christ our leader, to conquer evil each day. Think about it, that could be an awesome way to rouse yourself from bed each morning with a shout, “All for God!” Well, shouldn’t it be?

Prayer: May I go forth in Your mighty power Lord, and not my own. In Jesus’ name, amen.

That prayer continues in the Song: Lead on O King Eternal  

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