I Will Not Be Lion Food

1 Peter 5:6-9 AMP

6) Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you, 

7) Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. 

8) Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.

9) Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset--rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world.  

I will not be lion food.  I will immediately cast my care.

I want to be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), vigilant and cautious as 1 Peter 5:8 requires and firm in faith [rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined] as 1 Peter 5:9 requires.  One choice that I know will help me to be consistently strong is the choice to humbly cast my care upon God. 

Carrying care slows me down and weakens me.  My pride will stop my progress altogether by throwing a why-me pity party as if my cares are so unique, no one on earth could possibly deal with them.  Lions seek the weak and slow as easy prey.

In 1 Peter 5:7, the word translated casting implies a sudden motion.  My pride wants to control and deal with the problems of my life, only relinquishing them when all attempts to do so fail.   When I immediately throw my care on God, my strength remains consistent.

I will not be lion food.  I will immediately cast my care upon God

I love this life!

Copyright 2011  Leah Lambert Smith

Unique and Personal

God has such a unique and personal relationship with everyone. I am grateful for the liberty in this relationship. Our God-inspired lives are meant to be too uniquely incredible for another person to fully comprehend.  Part of the fun is for each of us to be surprised by the mysteries of God that are shown through another.  My relationship with God isn’t between you and me. We may influence each other, but should never try to control each other.

Liberty is discussed in I Corinthians 10:23-33.  This truth jumped out at me. 

 

 I Cor. 10:29b, 31b (Amp) – “Why should another man’s scruples apply to me and my liberty of action be determined by his conscience…whatever you may do, do all for the honor and glory of God.”  
 

These verses point out that I should choose “my liberty of action” within the confines of “whatever you may do, do all for the honor and glory of God.”  My heart's desire is that my life uniquely brings Him honor and glory. 

I love this life.

Copyright 2012  Leah Lambert Smith