Why does the lion roar? Winding down our 31 days of Fasting Together! You can read any missed posts here. Be blessed!
“Does a lion ever roar in a thicket without first finding a victim? Does a young lion growl in its den without first catching its prey?” Amos 3:4 NLT.
God has given Satan permission to rule on Earth until He comes again for His Bride. Since that time, there has been a constant struggle for good and evil. Satan, the slanderer, was cast out of heaven after he revolted, wanting more power, authority and control; He wanted to be like God. He took one third of the angels with him in the fall and has been trying to increase his army for centuries by stalking and devouring his prey.
The lion roamed freely in the Middle East when Peter warned us to “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8). Today, we are most familiar with a lion that we see in a concrete jungle. He is subdued, maybe even tame, just sitting around waiting for something to happen. It was not so in Peter’s day. He used the analogy of the lion as a comparison to the devil for good reason.
Spiritual warfare is real; it is active and alive just as much today as it was thousands of years ago. Satan is still vying for that #1 position and he wants to destroy anyone who follows Jesus Christ, his archenemy.
Lions are a unique breed. A pride of lions typically includes about five females and two males and their young. Lion prides that have plenty of food available to them have no trouble being territorial. They will go along and mark their space with their own bodily fluids and also by roaring. The male prides are by nature the most vocal whereas the females and young cubs are usually silent. Each male has its own distinctive sound.
“We know that we are of God and the whole world is in the power of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19).
The roar of a lion exudes power. Even though they might look a little comical trying to pull off a giant roar there seems to be a feeling of great accomplishment to the perpetrator when he exhales his cry of muscle. Does that sound familiar? Satan’s biggest weapon is intimidation and fear yet he can only go as far as the Lord will allow him.
“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” James 2:19.
To answer the question in Amos 3:4: Does a lion roar without a victim? No, he will not unless he can see it and has it in his grip. He will roar when he first spots the creature, leaving it paralyzed with fear. It would, under normal circumstances, perhaps be swift enough to escape but the terrifying sound of a lions’ roar renders it helpless. He then will roar over his catch, usually inviting others to enjoy the take with him.
The devil is much the same way. He prowls, looking for opportunity to sneak up on us, catching us when we are most vulnerable and then pounces quickly for the attack. Satan means adversary, or enemy. He is just like a lion circling his prey, hoping to catch one straggler that is weak and has left the security of the Shepherd. He wants to intimidate! The color of a lion’s coat is a natural disguise, they blend into their surroundings and even though they can weigh up to 500 pounds and be ten feet long, they are still nearly invisible.
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat.” Luke 22:31. Jesus knew the enemy was prowling after Peter, looking for an opportunity to trip him up. He fell asleep when he should have been praying. He jumps up and hastily cuts off the ear of Malchus and then he ultimately denies his Lord. Peter was being stalked. He was being hunted!
Satan also wants to accuse us of past wrongs or bring guilt upon us to make us think we have not been forgiven. That kind of guilt is not from God and will keep us from believing in the grace and mercy of the Lord. This is where Satan uses his hunting ability to its fullest advantage. He knows that those who do not pray, who have become complacent, are easy prey.
The lion will roar at any time of the night but most usually just before the sun comes up. The air is thinner and the sound would travel further. Sometimes, if conditions are right, the lion can be heard roaring miles away. Our archenemy is just as stealth in his attacks. So many of our fears come upon us at night when we are alone and vulnerable.
He doesn’t destroy right away but to those that may have dropped back a little from the herd he attacks first. He may cause great pain by pinning down his victim and inflicting wounds of doubt, fear and overwhelming failure.
Understand how very real spiritual warfare is. Author and pastor, A.W. Tozer knew this. He had visited Africa many times, maybe even living in lion country. He remarked once after a difficult trial in his life this: “But I will tell you something – it is a delightful thing when you know that you are close enough to the adversary that you can hear him roar! Too many Christians never get into “lion country” at all!”
He makes it all sound glamorous. He didn’t mean it that way at all. He was saying that because spiritual warfare exists, and it will not be going away any time soon, we, as children of God, should not be afraid of our enemy if we are in relationship with Jesus Christ. He overcame death, hell and the grave! We also can overcome any situation that presents itself if we know Him.
If you aren’t doing anything for God, you do not pose a threat to the devil. If you do not pray, fast, witness in your walk and talk, you do not give Satan anything to be concerned about. Maybe you aren’t even on his target list because he already has you right where he wants you. Complacent, satisfied with the status quo, maybe a little smug thinking you can handle things all alone.
Friend, this is so dangerous! We must recognize the works of the enemy of our souls! “…so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.” 2 Corinthians 2:11.
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.” 2 Corinthians 2:3-6.
The weapons that God has given us are more powerful than the roar of any lion! They are divinely powerful to destroy fortresses. Powerful enough to destroy speculations (rumors, gossip) and every arrogant or proud argument raised up against the knowledge of God. In the Holy Ghost, we are able to take every thought captive. Every thought! And the last line is so important. We are ready to punish all disobedience. When? When our obedience is complete.
Let us resolve in this new year to be on guard against the wiles of the devil and his schemes. Praying every day and fasting on a regular basis , pouring ourselves into the Word and living in an atmosphere of praise will bring victory and overcoming power. Greater is HE that is in YOU than he that is in the world!
How are you coming along with your fasting? Be sure and pick up a paperback or Kindle copy of The Daniel Fast – A Devotional! With 21 days of devotions depicting actual Biblical fasts and how they relate to us today, it is a valuable resource to have handy for years to come. Also includes recipes for each day of the fast and three days of preparation devotions and information on fasting! Available now on Amazon!
