Because the month of March in Kentucky is known for dramatic changes in weather, each day is fun to track whether it is more like a Lamb or a Lion. If it is extremely cold, windy, or stormy it is said to like a Lion. If its calm, warm, and mild then it’s described as a Lamb. There’s an old weather saying in these parts, “If March comes IN like a LION, it will go OUT like a LAMB” (and visa-versa).
IN like a LION, OUT like a LAMB
Well, this year, the phrase “in like a LION” can describe far more than unpredictable weather patterns. It describes the roar of dramatic changes in our cultural climate and hourly changes in our circumstances. And I’m guessing that if you’re anywhere on planet earth in March of 2021, you too are encountering your own LION DAYS this month. In 1 Samuel 23 a short story is told of one of David’s might men who encountered his own “lion day.”
“There was also Benaiah, a valiant warrior from Kabzeel. He did many heroic deeds, which included killing two (lion-like) champions of Moab. Another time, on a snowy day, he chased a LION down into a pit and killed it.”
The word used to describe this brave lion-defeater is “chayil.” Interestingly, that same term is chosen to describe God’s “noble” woman in Proverbs 31. Do you know what that means, mommas and daughters? That means God promises to empower us, His mighty Lion Ladies, to confidently face and chase the daily lions we encounter. Yes, rather than run like scaredy cats, we can run to the roar.
King David sure did. David chased the nine-foot “lion-like giant” named Goliath! His lion tale is found in 1 Samuel 17:34-37. After King Saul questioned David’s offer to fight Goliath…
“David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a LION or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. I have done this to both LIONS and bears, and I will do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the LION and the bear will rescue me from this giant!” Saul finally consented. “All right, go ahead and may the Lord be with you!”
Like David, we can run to and through our “lion days” the same way David did. Thankfully, David shepherds us as to ways we can face and chase our lions.
Like David, expect and know your foe.
“When a lion comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it.”
How does David lead us to claim God’s victory on lion days? First, expect and know your foe. You’ll notice that David said “WHEN” a lion comes not “IF.” Yes, David knew to look for the lions. 1 Peter 5:7-9 gives us the heads up too. “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him standing firm in the faith.” Clearly our foe is not a literal lion. (He is said to be “like” a lion.) The devil may look and sound like a lion, but he is a poser, a pretender, and he is ruthlessly going after God’s kids. His lambs. Like David, we are in a position to protect our flocks from attack.
And Like David, we can protect our flocks and face present lions by remembering past victories.
“I have done this to both lions and bears…”
David gained courage to protect his flocks and face present lions by remembering past victories. What past devastations has God gotten you through this epic year as a family? As a community? As a country? Lions can actually be God’s opportunities in disguise. Because our past defeated lions prepare us for chasing future lions with greater confidence!
Like David, we are strengthened by daily chasing THE LION.
“The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this giant!”
In this verse, David points confidently to THE LORD alone as the one who rescues him from the lions of this life! David defeated the (little L) lions by chasing THE LION! Revelation 5:5 commands, “Stop weeping! Look closely. The Lion of Judah has overcome and conquered!” The best way to chase the lions in our way is to chase after THE LION OF JUDAH every day. By spending time in His Word and in worship, He can train us to be “lion-hearted.”
Like David, train others to embrace and unleash their inner lion.
Last fall, our daughters and I decided to costume our golden doodle, Sport, as Simba in the Lion King. The problem is—Sport is not a lion. (Note: A cheap mane does not a lion make.) So, I took on the temporary role of a “lion trainer.” Each day I would excitedly ask our pup, “Do you want to be a lion? Let’s do our Lion Training!” After placing the mane on him I would repeatedly put him through all his tricks and give him all his favorite treats. Guess what? Pretty soon Sport LOVED lion training! He had embraced his inner lion!
As mommas we have the chance to do the same with our daughters. Like David, we can train our flock to know and show their inner lion-ness. Through daily lion training with Bible studies like “Heart of Womanhood Portraits series,” our next generation of females will rise up to embrace and unleash their God given lion-ness!
Like David, we are created to be God’s “pride” and joy!
A powerful African proverb proclaims, “The daughter of a lion is still a lion!” Yes, female lions are uniquely powerful. Read this description of a female lioness. Then, embrace this description for yourself.
She rises to gather strength. She rises to greet and groom others. She rises to hunt through the night. She rises alongside other lionesses. She rises to move young to safety. She rises to confront enemies that threaten the pride. She rises to walk with her King.
You are created to be a lioness arising.
Together, WE are created to be God’s “pride” and joy!
Like David, those who are confident that the Lord is with them become lion-hearted.
“All right, go ahead and may the Lord be with you!”
Saul knew that David’s victory depended on God’s presence, power, and protection. In Psalm 23 David writes from his life as a shepherd. He paints the picture of our Good Shepherd who guards his beloved lambs. David ends this cherished psalm with these words “Surely God’s goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life…” The word translated as “follow” actually means TO CHASE! Wow! As God’s mighty Lion Ladies we can arise each day confident that not only is “the Lord with us,” but we are being chased, pursued, and empowered by Him!
Yes, this season will be continue to be unpredictable. March will be full of some “lamb days” and many “lion days,” but we can face every day with Jesus since He is both the Lamb of God AND the Lion of Judah!
Our Savior went OUT like a LAMB but promises to come IN like a LION!
And unlike the unreliable weather saying, “If March comes IN like a Lamb it will go OUT like a Lion” we face a certain forecast because our Savior went OUT like a LAMB that first Easter but promises to come IN like a LION at His victorious return!
Until that day,
as daughters of the Almighty Lion King,
let’s “go OUT like a lion” into this world,
running to the roar —- as we unleash our inner Lion-ness!
