A Lion's Roar

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around

like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

I get the biggest kick out of watching my cats act like a fierce lion. They slowly and silently stalk across the floor. When they spot their prey, they take cover. Crouched down they watch for an opportunity. Then comes the butt wiggle, as they prepare their balance for the big pounce. Then they leap ...

… either on top of their brother or on a fluffy, fake mouse. It’s hilarious!

The one thing that is missing is the roar. However, we often hear our cats walking around the house growling as they hold that fake mouse in their teeth. They are communicating to the others that this is their catch and no-one dare take it away. In fact, even real lions do not roar when they are stalking prey. That would be a dead give-away to their presence and they would most likely walk away hungry.

So why does the Bible warn us that the devil prowls around like a “roaring” lion? I have a thought, but let’s start with what else the Bible tells us about lions.

The presence of lions is found throughout scripture; from the first book (Genesis) to the last (Revelation). Sometimes it’s used for the literal presence of a lion, as in Daniel in the lion’s den (Daniel 6). Other times its symbolic, used both for the way Satan prowls around as well as a symbol of the strength and power of Jesus upon His return. It’s odd that the same animal would be used to describe both our Lord Jesus and our enemy, Satan. Maybe it’s simply because lions were often encountered in the region and easily recognizable to the Israelites. I like to think it’s more than that.

From the fall in the Garden of Eden, Satan has tried to defeat the redeeming work of Jesus. He does so the same way he caused the fall - through deception, and in the most devious of ways - disguised as truth. Satan loves to mimic Jesus, so when we find one of the first descriptions of Jesus’ lineage as that of a lion, it is no wonder that Satan soon takes on traits of this magnificent creature.

In Genesis, we see Judah, Jacob’s son and one of the twelve tribes described as a lion’s cub.

You are a lion’s cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his. (Genesis 49:9-10)

Then in Revelation, we see triumphant Jesus as The Lion of Judah in the throne-room of God.

Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” (Revelation 5:5)

So, it’s no wonder that mid-way through the Bible, in the book of Psalms, we see the emergence of evil lions and even a great lion – not to be confused with the Lion of Judah!

In one psalm, David describes his enemies as he cries out to God in prayer:

I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.

Keep me as the apple of your eye;

hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who are out to destroy me, from my mortal enemies who surround me.

They are like a lion hungry for prey, like a fierce lion crouching in cover. (Psalm 17:6,8-9)

In another, the psalmist reassures King David (and us) with these words:

If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you,

You will tread on the lion and the cobra;

you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;

I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” (Psalm 91:9-10a, 13-16)

So why does the Bible warn us that the devil prowls around like a roaring lion? To understand this, we first need to understand when and why lions roar. Lions roar for three main reasons; to show their strength, to communicate their location to others lions in their pride, and to intimidate intruders. Let’s apply these reasons to our enemy.

Satan will roar simply to show his (self-perceived) strength. If we as Christians are made to fear him, he has won half the battle. Notice in Psalm 91, how our love for and acknowledgment of Jesus, as well as trusting in God as our refuge protects us from our enemy. God never wants His children cowering in a corner!

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them [evil spirits], because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)

Secondly, Satan will sometimes roar to communicate his location to others. As we can see from the previous verse, there is a spiritual war going on around us, and Satan doesn’t have the power with which we often give him credit. Unfortunately we also often neglect the power we have been given in Christ.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:10-12)

Thirdly, Satan will sometimes roar to intimidate intruders. This one is my favorite! Who exactly are the intruders that make Satan roar?

Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” (John 18:36)

We are! Believers in Christ are no more part of this worldly kingdom than Jesus. We have been called out of this world (1 Peter 2:90) and into God’s eternal kingdom!

One day soon, our Lord and Savior will return; not as a humble servant, but in all the majesty, power and glory He deserves.

This is what the Lord says to me:

“As a lion growls, a great lion over its prey— and though a whole band of shepherds is called together against it, it is not frightened by their shouts or disturbed by their clamor— so the Lord Almighty will come down to do battle on Mount Zion and on its heights. (Isaiah 31:4)

Notice Christ, as a lion, growls. When does a lion growl? When he has caught his prey! When it is finished and it is time to feast! Soon Christ will come again as The Lion of Judah and will put Satan’s roars to an end! You think a lion’s roar is scary? Wait until we hear Jesus growl!!!

Image: IStock - Kevron2001