LION OF JUDAH

Lion of Judah living in me

infuse me with strength

to walk confidently . . .

facing off fears, pouncing on shame

tearing up lies, owning my name.

~

Let the roar of Your Spirit

rumble up from my depths

unwilling to yield and simply accept

intruders upon my inner domain.

Cast them out, they’re not meant

to remain and be tamed.

~

Teach me to be fierce

(do the warrior’s part)

as I guard and protect

my mind and my heart.

~

Privileged to be

a part of Your pride

honored as partner

birthed from Your side

ablaze with Your Spirit

and called as Your Bride.

~

Jesus is known as the Lamb of God. He is also described as the Lion of Judah. Do you relate more to the gentleness of the lamb or the fierceness of a lion? What negative experiences did you have with someone who perhaps exhibited more of the passivity or weakness of a lamb, or the overpowering dominance of a lion? If you have yet to heal from those experiences, how do they color your willingness to possess the kind and meek gentleness of the lamb — and the fierce authoritative, confident, boldness of a lion? Can you identify people you tend to pull back from or avoid who have misrepresented the positive qualities of a lamb or a lion?

Because Jesus lives inside those who belong to Him, we are required to possess both the gentleness of the lamb and the fierceness of the lion. How do these two contrary natures peacefully coexist within us? It can only happen supernaturally by the Spirit. Wisdom is knowing when to be a lamb . . .  and . . . when to be a lion. I wrote this poem for the times when we need the fierceness of the lion. Perhaps it will resonate with you as a prayer for your own life.