And There Came a Lion... 1 Samuel 17:34 (KJV)
David spent his youth doing what he had to do- tending his father’s sheep. He had no choice, no best-life options, no one intent on seeing to it that he had every opportunity. It was a lonely life for a boy, yet preparation for what, unbeknownst to him or his family, would be his life calling. He would grow up to be the Shepherd-King of God’s chosen people, the sweet Psalmist of Israel. How could he have known that those lonely hours would be just what he needed to become the poet who would lead all of us in worship? And more, that he would soon face Goliath? Somehow what he did while watching those sheep because he had to, instilled in his spirit a deep respect for the mightiness of Yahweh.
Young David tried to explain it to King Saul as he was being mocked for volunteering to go up against the Giant that had everyone else frozen in fear. Instead of using typical boyish bravado, he chose to tell a story:
“One day I was out watching my father’s sheep. The day was clear and calm when, out of nowhere, there came a lion. I had no one to help me, no one to turn to, so I grabbed that lamb out of his teeth and killed him myself— by myself. On another day, I had to kill a bear— by myself. That’s when I found out how great God is! That’s when I discovered the power in the name of Yahweh! So now, King Saul, let me kill Goliath in the name of the LORD! I know I can do this- ”
And he did.
I think sometimes our children are given sudden emergencies (like stalking lions!) that only in retrospect we can see prepared them for something so big, so impossible, that only God could get the credit. It’s God’s gracious way of training His children for what He has ahead- for those Ephesians 2:10 “tasks” (NASB), or “good things” (NLT) that He has planned for our futures— and for our children’s life callings.
It’s not much of a stretch to see that our children are growing up in a world full of intimidating giants. It’s almost unbearable for us as parents— for me as a grandmother— to think of our children losing the innocence of a care-free childhood.
Everything in me wants to shield my Grands.
Yet… there are Goliaths to be slain.
And who better than our kids? Children being raised to know and understand the Rescuer? Children learning from a very young age to follow the way of Jesus, the narrow way. These are the Jeremiah’s and Daniel’s and Esther’s of the next generation—the David’s who will become Shepherd-Leaders of the emerging Church.
We shouldn’t really be surprised when our children’s lives are disrupted by “and then came a lion” events. Those times when they are called to do something courageous, something way too much for them to handle on their own. When, at too young an age, they are facing hurdles that would paralyze most adults— just as David’s big, strong warrior brothers were paralyzed by Goliath.
Here’s what Charles Spurgeon had to say about those lions:
“When the “lion” comes, recognize it as God’s opportunity no matter how rough the exterior. The very tabernacle of God was covered with badgers’ skins and goats’ hair; one would not think there would be any glory there. The Shekinah of God was manifest under that kind of covering. May God open our eyes to see Him, whether in temptations, trials, dangers, or misfortunes.”
What lion are you facing today? How about your kids?
The Covid-19 plague? Check. Suicides in our schools? Check. Anxiety? Check. Loneliness? Check. Disappointments? Check.
Fear in the air we breathe? Check and check and check again.
Lions, each one. And a Roaring Lion whose aim is to destroy this next generation of Giant slayers. Peter knew all about those lions…
“Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember, your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. In His kindness, God called you to His eternal glory by means of Jesus Christ. After you have suffered for a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation. All power is His forever and ever. Amen.”
Parents, you are training the next generation of leaders. Your job is to teach them the truest truths that no one else will tell them. Yes, you give comfort and understanding in their difficulties. Yet it is also yours to equip and encourage them in some “lion slaying” techniques.
The Epistles are full of such training lessons—might I suggest that you read slowly through Ephesians, Philippians, 1&2 Peter, and 1,2,3 John with your older school age kids? These books specifically teach the why’s and the how-to’s of life in God’s upside-down Kingdom.
Open your Bible at dinner time, read a short section, then ask questions like, “What do you think this means?” “How would this change the way we live?” And what will soon become their favorite: “How do you see me living this out— or not?”
They need to know these truths, even if they can’t fully understand yet. Even if you don’t fully understand yet.
Something magical happens as we read God’s Word to our kids, something way beyond what we could instill in their souls with our own plethora of advice-giving. I can’t explain it but I’ve seen it with my own kids and I see it now with my Grands. There’s a power in the words of Scripture, a truth that makes sense to our souls.
I’m praying for so many of you who let me know about the lions you or your kids are facing.
From my heart,
Diane