Posted on September 7, 2023 by Elizabeth Welte in Freedom Fighters
I keep thinking of the saying, “the lion doesn’t have to explain how powerful he is.”
When we humbly lay down our pride and live in Christ through the Spirit, we walk as lions, empowered to be like Christ…. to “do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil 4:13)
Paul writes to the Corinthians, “We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ.” (2 Corinthians 3:4 NLT) We need not seek man’s approval or barter influence from others… or promote ourselves at all; when we walk as lions… as Jesus, we are empowered by His Spirit who lives within us. This Christ-like humility is very powerful, “for when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor -12:10)
A lion walks with confidence. As believers, our steadfastness begins with our understanding of who God is. This makes me think of Daniel, who, “when he knew that the document that forbids him to pray to God was signed, he entered his house (walking as a lion); and Daniel continued kneeling on his knees three times a day. He prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously.” (Daniel 6:10 NASB) Daniel knew God. He knew Him to be absolute perfection, sovereign over everything, and everyone. Daniel knew His word is truth; that God is love, and all things begin in Him. He is Lord of Lords, King of Kings.
Daniel understood, “God’s rule is everlasting, and His kingdom is eternal. All the people of the earth are nothing compared to Him. He does as He pleases among the angels of heaven and among the people of the earth. No one can stop Him or say to Him, ‘What do you mean by doing these things?’ (Daniel 4:34b-35 NLT) Daniel recognized God is patient, suffering long the sins of man, He is gentle and kind, yet powerful, mighty, and just; forever seeking the redemption of His children. In loving-kindness, God gave His only begotten Son to die sacrificially in our place. He did this, so whoever believes in His Son, and His work of salvation, shall have eternal life. While Daniel’s enemies conspired to have him killed, Daniel relied on his understanding of God and walked as a lion into the presence of his Lord. In prayer, he humbled himself under God’s mighty hand, and with patients, waiting for God to lift him up according to His will. Like his friends before the furnace, Daniel knew, God can deliver him. But regardless of how God proceeds in His sovereign will, Daniel will not compromise his relationship with God, nor give in to the temptation to walk away from His Heavenly Father. This is the example Jesus gave us when He walked from the garden; in the same manner, Jesus, faced with bearing the wrath of God towards all sin at the cross, He prayed, “Father, not my will, but Yours be done.”
Paul encourages us to “not throw away this confident trust in God. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that He has promised.” (Hebrews 10:35-36 NLT) Scripture tells us that King Darius had a sleepless night after Daniel entered the lion’s den, even in spite of having stated, “Daniel, Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you.” But knowing the confidence Daniel had in his God, I like to picture him walking into the den of lions as one of them and praying through the night. Notwithstanding, by morning, Daniel testifies, “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me since I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime.” (Daniel 6:22 NASB)
Regardless of the struggle we face, we can walk as lions, being confident in God’s goodwill. We can walk as lions by living obediently to His Word and trust the Spirit to work in and through us. It’s not about time either; sure, we want any suffering to end quickly, but honestly, God does some of his most incredible work in the valleys of heartache, and not on the summits of rest. He will bring every situation to its end, a point beyond where anyone can say, ‘look what I did.’ He will linger in the valley until the only response is, ‘see what God has done, His Name is praised!’ We can walk as lions in those valleys because He walks with us. His rod and His staff, they comfort us when we fix our eyes on Him and not our circumstances.
No matter the battle, struggle, or circumstance, we overwhelmingly conquer through the One called the ‘Lion of Judea,’ it is He who loves us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. So, walk as lions today.
Choose wisely…
Written by David Brown: David Brown is a husband, father, grandfather, Pastor with a Masters of Religious Studies and a Professor of Philosophy and Comparative Religions. Dave is the Associate Pastor of Pemberton’s First Baptist Church. He is the author of two devotional books, “From a Chair by the Window.” And “#PrayerWinsThe Day”.
Think About This: “The enemy uses storms and seasons of hardship as opportunity to ravage and ruin us, but God uses storms and hardship as opportunity to rebuild and refine us.” ― Mistie House
This Week’s Verse to Memorize:“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” Hebrews 8:10
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Based on 383 reviews
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Wanda Read
17:45 26 Sep 23
praise God for this place and all staff
Dinah Lopez
17:06 19 Sep 23
Beautiful property. Woodsy, nice lakes and a lot of land to explore. A great place for Christians to gather. They also have indoor auditoriums.
Andrea Rowe
01:30 18 Sep 23
Great banquet food.Great piano performance.
Melissa Williams
10:55 15 Sep 23
The warmest, most loving people working together on a mission of love for the Lord. This place is a treasure and I look forward to going every chance I get.
marilyn clinton
09:26 10 Sep 23
Food is not great.
Linda Hamadyk
04:54 10 Sep 23
The entertainment was excellent. The servers were great enjoyed my evening.
Raquel Perez
13:04 03 Sep 23
Amazing, relaxing, friendly and the most important part, the presence of God!!!
Doug Anderson
11:39 29 Aug 23
Had an amazing experience here for two nights!Stayed in the newly renovated rooms - very nice and clean.Amazing and helpful staff, maintenance, chaplains, etc.Everyone is very warm and friendly.Student summer staff were joyful and... respectful.They really take care of pastors and all of their guests.Such an atmosphere of hope, healing and restoration! Highly recommend for personal and group retreats.read more
Albert Spangler
14:15 25 Aug 23
This is an amazing place where you can feel God's presence and find peace.
Carol Swill
05:06 24 Aug 23
America's keseick is a wonderful place of peace and restoration. The combination of the physical and emotional feeding, together with the bible conference really works.I loved the Bible studies, and i loved the 'vacation stuff'- the pool, the... beach, the games,the music, walking around the lake- it all worked togetherread more
Karen Downs
18:43 31 Jul 23
Awesome place. Great place for children and awesome place to relax and enjoy
Richard Donato
18:14 14 Jul 23
Great place
Rubbins St Louis
18:57 12 Jul 23
Great place to visit and have fellowship with other believers. I love taking in God's word.
Loida Rojas LLM
06:03 04 Jul 23
They need to remodel all the dorms
Vince Dizol
04:56 26 Jun 23
Beautiful retreat center. You can feel the presence of God in the beauty of His natural creation in this place! Great pool and jacuzzi area as well as basketball / volleyball court!
Google Rating
4.8
Based on 383 reviews
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Wanda Read
17:45 26 Sep 23
praise God for this place and all staff
Dinah Lopez
17:06 19 Sep 23
Beautiful property. Woodsy, nice lakes and a lot of land to explore. A great place for Christians to gather. They also have indoor auditoriums.
Andrea Rowe
01:30 18 Sep 23
Great banquet food.Great piano performance.
Melissa Williams
10:55 15 Sep 23
The warmest, most loving people working together on a mission of love for the Lord. This place is a treasure and I look forward to going every chance I get.
marilyn clinton
09:26 10 Sep 23
Food is not great.
Linda Hamadyk
04:54 10 Sep 23
The entertainment was excellent. The servers were great enjoyed my evening.
Raquel Perez
13:04 03 Sep 23
Amazing, relaxing, friendly and the most important part, the presence of God!!!
Doug Anderson
11:39 29 Aug 23
Had an amazing experience here for two nights!Stayed in the newly renovated rooms - very nice and clean.Amazing and helpful staff, maintenance, chaplains, etc.Everyone is very warm and friendly.Student summer staff were joyful and... respectful.They really take care of pastors and all of their guests.Such an atmosphere of hope, healing and restoration! Highly recommend for personal and group retreats.read more
Albert Spangler
14:15 25 Aug 23
This is an amazing place where you can feel God's presence and find peace.
Carol Swill
05:06 24 Aug 23
America's keseick is a wonderful place of peace and restoration. The combination of the physical and emotional feeding, together with the bible conference really works.I loved the Bible studies, and i loved the 'vacation stuff'- the pool, the... beach, the games,the music, walking around the lake- it all worked togetherread more
Karen Downs
18:43 31 Jul 23
Awesome place. Great place for children and awesome place to relax and enjoy
Richard Donato
18:14 14 Jul 23
Great place
Rubbins St Louis
18:57 12 Jul 23
Great place to visit and have fellowship with other believers. I love taking in God's word.
Loida Rojas LLM
06:03 04 Jul 23
They need to remodel all the dorms
Vince Dizol
04:56 26 Jun 23
Beautiful retreat center. You can feel the presence of God in the beauty of His natural creation in this place! Great pool and jacuzzi area as well as basketball / volleyball court!