4TH OCTOBER

LION OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH

“And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of
the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can
open the scroll and its seven seals.”
(Revelation 5:5)

Male and female lions are born in equal numbers but, usually, in any pride, the
females are more than the males, in a ratio of about 2/3 to 1. Why? All lions
face high mortality rates as cubs, as a result of injuries, illness, lack of food and
being killed by adult lions, but the males face more risks.
As soon as the males reach sexual maturity, the older males, which may even
be their fathers, drive them away. The outcasts move out in search of new
areas and attempt to take over another pride. In so doing, a fight to death
ensues and many are killed. Whichever of them that conquers and takes over
a new territory wickedly kills all the existing cubs. Their desire is to raise their own
offspring and not take care of others’ cubs.
We are like a pride of lions, living peacefully, searching for our daily means of
livelihood. Our adversary, the devil, prowls around like a (fake) roaring lion,
seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). When he gets into a pride, a family,
he comes to kill, to steal and to destroy (John 10:10). But glory be to God, the
Lion of the Tribe of Judah has already fought for us, His pride, and prevailed.
He has conquered by laying down His own life and taking it up again, offering
us the opportunity to receive Him as Saviour and Lord, to save us from the
devourer now and eternally.

ACTION: Choose to willingly submit to Christ’s authority and guidance. This is your only guarantee of security in this wicked world.

PRAYER: Keep me, heavenly Father in the “pride” of the Lion of Judah.