A Moment in Proverbs- Proverbs 26:13 Is there a Lion outside?

Proverbs 26:13, “The slothful man saith there is a lion in the way; a lion is in the streets.”

I was talking with my daughter tonight and this very passage came into our conversation as a reference to how man finds ways to frighten himself by surrounding circumstances or by not stepping out to face a challenge because we’re worried of the outcome.

If we consider the excuses we give to not speak out to those who are lost; or take a leap of faith that God is calling us to embrace, aren’t we being just like this slothful man who calls out there’s a lion in the streets?   So we stay inside our comfortable world and we shy away from the opportunities that are given because we are shy, ashamed, fearful, worrisome or just lazy.

When God calls to us to reach out are we telling him it requires too much?  When He instructs us in wisdom and strength, do we balk and say “I can’t?”  When the prompting of the Holy Spirit is so strong that you can feel His direction, are you fearful?  If your answer to any of these questions is yes, perhaps, maybe, sometimes, once in a while; then we need to consider our standing before the LORD.

We must turn to His Word that instructs us to “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee” (Deuteronomy 31:6).  He also tells us that “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Joshua 1:9). We’re instructed to be valiant as we face hardship (see 1 Chronicles 19:13).

As we take up the baton handed to us by our LORD and we face trials, endure hardships, reach others, and face the unknown, we encourage others to do the same. Let us then, raise valiant warriors for Christ, by example, let us throw off all that encumbers us and embrace the day set before us.  Let us say there is work to be done in my life and in the life of others. Let us not be afraid or lazy.

Prayer: LORD, help us to lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily sets us back and let us face the challenges in our life to bring you glory.  Father, you love us, you preserve us and you reward us as we are of good courage.  LORD, strengthen our hearts as your Word promises for those who hope in you.  Truly LORD, we will see your goodness in our lives if we wait upon you.  We pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

Abiding Still,

Connie Renfro ©