“The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.” Proverbs 28:1
Devotional Thought For The Day
This is a rather incredible observation – generally true to fact although there are exceptions. You remember that the devil is described by Peter as “a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.” [1 Pet. 5:8] However, James encourages us: “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” [James 4:7] So the smallest and weakest child of God can stand up to the devil, and as we submit to God and resist the devil we are able to stand “as bold as a lion.” There are times, however, when we fail in our faith and our faithfulness – as Peter did on the night of Jesus’ betrayal. We struggle – when confronted by all manner of damnable threats – with the common choice of “fight or flight,” and there are times when we cede the battlefield to others. What ultimately makes “the righteous” bold is that each time we fail we return to the Lord in repentance and are assured of His merciful forgiveness and His unfailing love for us, that though our sins be “as scarlet they shall be as white as snow” [Is. 1:18], that “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” [1 Jn. 1:7] When convinced of God’s unfailing love we can stand boldly even in the face of great threats and horrific fears.
What the righteous do not do is prowl around looking for someone to devour. We do not use our strength and boldness in the Lord to hurt or harm others, to slash them with sharp claws or crush them with powerful jaws. Rather, the righteous are humble and gentle – like their Savior and Master, who “when He was reviled, He reviled not in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but continued entrusting Himself to Him Who judges justly.” [1 Pet. 2:23] It is a travesty, and great weakness, when we decide to fight evil with evil instead of “trusting Him Who judges justly.” This is not to say that we cannot defend ourselves – Jesus did so before the Sanhedrin and Pilate [Jn. 18], and Paul also defended himself on several occasions [Acts 21-26]. But there is a great difference between being as bold as a lion and engaging in the same brutality as lions do. It is much more difficult to simply stand one’s ground and minimize violence than it is to attack, destroy the adversary, and be done with the matter. The model of the righteous, the pattern that we are encouraged to follow, is that of Christ – Who neither fled nor fought with His accusers but boldly entrusted Himself into God’s hands. We are called to do the same.
The “wicked,” on the other hand, are described as “fleeing” even when no one pursues them. That is, they are fearful of many things even when there is no imminent threat. This is the consequence of an evil conscience and of living out of evil intent. Without assurance of God’s forgiveness and mercy there is a creeping and eerie sense that sooner or later justice will come calling [the unbelieving may refer to this as “karma” or fate]. Sadly, the wicked then set about “posturing” as though they are bold, deluding themselves that they will survive even God’s hand being upon them, but their bravado usually crumbles when they face demise – although some curse God to the very end. However, they cannot escape fear of the others who are wicked; having evil intent and wicked cunning, they are well aware that others with the same internal darkness may be targeting them. How does one like this ever sleep? Those who are on the lam soon learn how draining and exhausting such an existence is, and are frequently relieved when they are finally caught. Sometimes children of God get caught up in similar fears of God because of impenitence and unbelief – but this is not the Lord’s will for anyone. He desires not the death even of the wicked [Ezek. 33:11], but rather calls “all people everywhere to repent.” [Acts 17:30] It is a terrible and wasteful pity when we do not repent and flee to God’s mercy, so that we might be restored to peace, confidence, and even boldness in His gracious forgiveness and unfailing love!
The unbelieving and the weak of faith have difficulty understanding this calm confidence and boldness, often confusing it with their own bravado and prideful blustering. It is certainly not some “personal” strength, but rather the gift and blessing of God. It is of great help as we go through life in this fallen and dangerous world of sin. Such faith and confidence in God also “comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ.” [Rom. 10:17] So let us turn to God and implore Him to grant us such trust and certainty – based in His Word – so that we too may stand as bold as lions in the face of all threat and adversity.
Prayer For The Day
Dear Lord Jesus, Lion of Judah, grant that we heed Your call to take refuge in Your gracious love and merciful forgiveness, and Your invitation that we trust in You in all times of trouble and danger. Preserve us in all times of fear and danger from all false bravado and posturing. Humble us to trust in Your strength alone. Keep us also from vengeful and violent temptations, so that we not fall into terrible sin. Enable us to stand bold in the face of all evil, all threats, and to entrust ourselves to Him Who judges justly, to You and our Heavenly Father. Amen.