There’s a lion in the street!

This past week, in case you missed it, there was a flurry of news activity about a possible lion in the streets in Berlin. There had been a video sighting and some officers even said they had seen it. People were told to stay inside and certainly keep their pets inside. In the end it was determined (by those-in-the-know after examining the video evidence) that it could not have been a lion. It was more than likely a wild pig, just a big boar. 

This reminded me of two different truths that we find in the Bible and in the world. In Proverbs (22:13 and 26:13) the sluggard decries going out because there is a lion in the streets. He uses the possibility, however farfetched, to keep from doing anything. He is afraid of what might, possibly, in some amount of statistical probability happen to him. 

So too do we sometimes allow our fears to keep us from doing anything. Jesus tells us that we should not fear those who can harm the body. We should fear Him who after the body is dead can send the soul to hell. (See Luke 12:5). This is used to point out that we should not be ashamed to stand with the Lord and speak out for Him. 

That brings me to the second lion in the streets. We find him roaming in 1 Peter 5 where he goes about roaring, seeking who he might devour. This is not a fake lion. The devil is not a made up, fake phantom to scare us into doing what is right. Satan wants us dead - as dead as can be. So he temps, accuses and coaxes - every day and in so many ways. 

God tells us to resist him, knowing that we are not alone in this. That God is fully able to save us and restore us, even from all of our suffering. We should be aware of this lion and resist him in any way we can, turning from temptation, staying close to one another and encouraging one another to be faithful. This is why we gather at least once a week (on Sunday) to worship the One who saves and continues to save. 

These are some of the things that are being taught these weeks at Bible camp. The oldest youth have finished their week. The Benjamins (8-11 year-olds) are at camp this week, and next week we will spend learning together with the teens (12-14 year-olds). The last week will bring families together. Please be praying for all of these young people, the team leaders and everyone attending. 

And just so that you know - we will miss posting for a few weeks as we are working with these camp weeks. In the meantime, think about who you fear and who you want to follow.