At The Sound of His Roar

Today I heard that a lion's roar can be heard from a distance of up to 8km away. How crazy is that?! It is meant to sound as a warning to those who don't belong to stay away, and sound as a 'come home' to those who belong but have strayed away.

In Revelation 5, Jesus is referred to as the Lion. It got me thinking about His voice in my life. In Psalm 68 and 29 it is said that the voice of the Lord is mighty, powerful and majestic.

Sometimes His words are warnings, they are words of a righteous, holy God. His voice thunders in victory over death and sin and all of Satan's plans. He speaks words of correction and pruning to me. At other times His voice calls me home. It draws me in and reminds me of His relentless love. It pierces the darkness of my situation and calls me out of the grave.

Of course, Jesus as the Lion leads me to Aslan -- a beautiful picture of Jesus painted by C.S. Lewis -- and the times that he roared.

1. Mr Tumnus is putting Lucy to sleep for the sake of the White Witch. He is compromising his beliefs and giving in to doing the wrong thing. Aslan roars from the fireplace and Mr Tumnus is hit with a realisation and conviction that he has to stop, that there is another way, that he does have the strength and courage to change and do the right thing.

I pray that where you are walking down the wrong paths, giving in to your desires and the temptations that plague you: that God's voice would roar into your life with truth and conviction, reminding you of his way, and giving you the strength to resist, the courage to do what is right.

2. Peter is looking terrified and way out of his depth as one of the White Witch's wolves is circling him, looking to attack. Aslan takes down the wolf with just one paw and roars in a way that seems to say: "this boy is mine; you have no power here."

I pray that where you are feeling anxious and terrified, like the devil has you surrounded and there is no way out: that you would hear the roar of God over your life saying "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." (Matt 3:17). That the roar of God would remind you of your identity and who you are in Him and you would know He has your back and will always protect you as a beloved child of His.

3. The White Witch asks Aslan, "How do I know your promise will be kept?" His only response is to roar with what seems like so much authority and conviction -- all the Witch can do is hurriedly take her leave.

I pray that where you find yourself doubting the words and truth and hope of our God, that he would roar directly at your doubts, and they would have to leave. That as He roars over your life, you would be reminded that all his promises are always fulfilled (just perhaps not within your prescribed timeframe). Reminded that God cannot lie (Titus 1:2), so what He says of you and your future are absolute and true.

4. After Aslan comes back to life, he roars in a way that says, "I'm back, I overcame, I can't be held down, I'm fully alive again."

I pray that God would roar his salvation over you. That you would be reminded that Jesus took your shame and punishment and death, that you might live. That death could not hold him, that sin and death were fully conquered that you might know the fullness of His life (John 10:10). I pray that God would roar over the dead things, dead dreams, dead hopes, dead gifts in your heart and bring them back to life as only He can.

5. As the Narnians are seemingly losing the battle and it looks like the Witch is going to kill Peter, Aslan arrives on the scene and roars loudly over the battle (goosebumps every time!). The Witch is shocked and horrified that she didn't actually defeat Aslan and Peter's face radiates with hope and relief that Aslan has showed up -- both of them knowing that this was the ultimate game changer.

I pray that you would hear the roar of God over the battles you are facing right now. That you'd be reminded that He knows about all the darkness and struggles and trials you are facing and He cares deeply for you. And like the Narnians would say "Aslan is on the move" to inspire courage and hope within each other, I say to you "God is on the move, He is at work, He is fighting your battles for you." (Exodus 14:14)

6. And finally, as Aslan takes out the White Witch, he roars as he pounces on her and roars as he kills her -- her reign, her dominion, her terror ended once and for all.

I pray that God would roar "It is finished" over your life (John 19:30), a roar of victory and roar of finality. That you would let go of your striving and earning and know that His grace is enough. That the power of sin has no more hold on you, that your debt has been paid in full, that the victory has been won. Winter is over, you can have hope, you are free.

May the roar of the Lion, the voice of our Father and King, shape us, guide us, encourage and revive us.

Listen for His voice as it roars over you.

Kruger Traffic

 

When driving around Kruger National Park on the lookout for the big cats and dogs, nothing raises hope quite as much as seeing a car stopped on the side of the road. And as you drive closer and see camera lenses and binoculars all pointing in the same direction, you know you’re onto something good. Your heart begins to race. You sit up straighter, take off your sunglasses for a clearer view, get the camera ready, and start looking harder in the direction they seem to be pointing in.

But more often than not, it’s nothing interesting or nothing at all. All that build up and excitement for a silly little monkey in a tree or perhaps the most common Kruger sighting, an impala. It’s such a letdown! These people, with their simple act of stopping, promised so much that resulted in so little. It’s really not good for the heart! I know my family has done the same to people when we’ve parked in the shade to have lunch. They’d drive up expectantly and see us eating, then mutter, “net piekniek” and drive off disappointed.

Oh but the joy that comes when they say something along the lines of “Leopard” or “Wild dog”. You follow their gaze and see the most beautiful creations of our God. And as they drive off, you now become the pointer to the sighting. Your joy and hope are fulfilled. It’s a magnificent thing!

Matthew 5:14-16

 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Where have you stopped the car of your life? What is your life pointing to? When people drive up to you do they simply see you munching away, focused on nothing, and leave disappointed? Or does your life point to something, to Someone, great and beautiful?

You are being watched. Let your life point to Jesus and lead others to see and enjoy Him. And as you move on to new stuff in God, those people will lead others to see Jesus. Start a movement by parking your life in Jesus and turning your focus on Him. People will see and the world will be changed.

How’s this for a dream:

Zechariah 8:23

“…ten people from all languages and nations will take firm hold of [insert name] by the hem of [his/her] robe and say, ‘Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.”