Thursday, September 9, 2010

When Opportunity Roars Pt. 2

And the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the people of Israel. And they took possession of Samaria and lived in its cities. 25And at the beginning of their dwelling there, they did not fear the LORD. Therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which killed some of them. So the king of Assyria was told, "The nations that you have carried away and placed in the cities of Samaria do not know the law of the god of the land. Therefore he has sent lions among them, and behold, they are killing them, because they do not know the law of the god of the land." 27Then the king of Assyria commanded, "Send there one of the priests whom you carried away from there, and let him go and dwell there and teach them the law of the god of the land." 28So one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and lived in Bethel and taught them how they should fear the LORD. 2 Kings 17: 24-28

When opportunity roars it can seem as daunting as facing down a lion. In 2 Kings we see a story of God using real lion's to teach people about Himself.

God used Roaring Lions to:

Show Himself Sovereign:
The tendency of man is to elevate ouselves and miss the work of God. It was not the Assyrian king who conquered but God who let him. It was not the will of an earthly king who moved new people into the land but the purpose of God. Your circumstances have not taken God by surprise. In fact He ordained them for a purpose.

Teach Us To Worship
The people in Bible times were wise enough to know when God was up to something. Lion attacks drove the people to recognize the power of God. They understood how He was above all things and they respected Him. God may be using your lion, your circumstances to show you your need for Him and Him alone.

Reveal His Provision
The results of the difficult time was a priest retuning to the land to lovingly teach the people about the commands of God. These were a people who would have never met the Living God had they not had to suffer roaring lions. God allows danger and uncertainty in our lives to turn us toward the only secure place, a daily walk with and dependence on Him.

When you hear roaring lions may they drive you into the arms of a savior and forward on an adventure with Him.