Do Not Answer; Trust the Lion
This morning I was reading Isaiah 36. The nation of Judah is being taunted, harassed, and intimidated by their enemies, the Ramshakeh of Assyria.
Their enemies are hurling lies, threats, and other forms of verbal abuse. They are bragging of their military prowess and martial power. "Who has defeated us? What other nations have called on their gods and been saved from us?" The Ramshakeh batter Judah with mocking jeers. "Don't trust in your God. Who is he, after all?"
Yet the people of Judah obeyed their leader Hezekiah. They did not answer. Just because they kept silent didn't mean they agreed with what was being said in the open. The lies, the sneers, the taunts.
Have you been bombarded by Satan's same tactics? Has your Enemy (God's Enemy) been slinging negative thoughts into your mental camp? Have you been hearing that God can't be trusted? That you are on the brink of defeat and destruction? Where do you think these lies are coming from? Don't answer. Don't listen to them. Arm yourself with truth and keep silent before your Enemy. He knows he's been defeated by Jesus at the cross, and he is just talking trash. If you say anything, speak to God and let Him address the Enemy on your behalf. When I've found myself in this position, I admit to God I am weak, but He is strong. I am afraid, but His perfect love casts out all fear. I am unworthy--check that--WAS unworthy--until Jesus came to abide in me, and now since He is in me, and I am in HIm, and since He is worthy, I am worthy to approach the throne of grace in time of need. Or any time.
Remember: Satan is LIKE a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. But Jesus IS the Lion of the tribe of Judah. I am not saying to take Satan's power lightly; there is the whole armor of God to put on, but I am saying, like Hezekiah who trusted God when up against the greatest army the world had ever known, "Do not answer your Enemy." Trust the Lion, not the Liar.
Their enemies are hurling lies, threats, and other forms of verbal abuse. They are bragging of their military prowess and martial power. "Who has defeated us? What other nations have called on their gods and been saved from us?" The Ramshakeh batter Judah with mocking jeers. "Don't trust in your God. Who is he, after all?"
Yet the people of Judah obeyed their leader Hezekiah. They did not answer. Just because they kept silent didn't mean they agreed with what was being said in the open. The lies, the sneers, the taunts.
Have you been bombarded by Satan's same tactics? Has your Enemy (God's Enemy) been slinging negative thoughts into your mental camp? Have you been hearing that God can't be trusted? That you are on the brink of defeat and destruction? Where do you think these lies are coming from? Don't answer. Don't listen to them. Arm yourself with truth and keep silent before your Enemy. He knows he's been defeated by Jesus at the cross, and he is just talking trash. If you say anything, speak to God and let Him address the Enemy on your behalf. When I've found myself in this position, I admit to God I am weak, but He is strong. I am afraid, but His perfect love casts out all fear. I am unworthy--check that--WAS unworthy--until Jesus came to abide in me, and now since He is in me, and I am in HIm, and since He is worthy, I am worthy to approach the throne of grace in time of need. Or any time.
Remember: Satan is LIKE a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. But Jesus IS the Lion of the tribe of Judah. I am not saying to take Satan's power lightly; there is the whole armor of God to put on, but I am saying, like Hezekiah who trusted God when up against the greatest army the world had ever known, "Do not answer your Enemy." Trust the Lion, not the Liar.
posted by Zoanna at
5:49 AM
2 Comments:
This is excellent. I love the distinction you make between Satan being LIKE a Lion and Jesus being THE Lion of the Tribe of Judah. I just read the passage in Peter yesterday about Satan being like a roaring lion in the midst of a battle I was in w/ Him and my own flesh.
Next time I find myself in a skirmish (SP?), which will probably be within hours or even minutes, I pray the Lord brings your insights here to mind to encourage me.
Thanks for posting.
What a great post and great reminder. Trust is such a hard thing at times.
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