A Lesson from the Lion

There are three things that walk with stately stride—

no, four that strut about:

the lion, king of animals, who won’t turn aside for anything,

the strutting rooster, the male goat, a king as he leads his army.

Proverbs 30:29-31

We tend to associate strength with activity. If we can meet deadlines at work, juggle schedules at home, and manage all the other competing demands on our time, we erroneously believe that we are strong; that in busy activity there is strength. Overwhelmed by demands, we rely on multi-tasking and endurance, late nights, and lots of caffeine to get us through our jam-packed days. However, God has written rest into the fabric of creation: morning and evening, the seventh day for rest, the necessity of sleep. Rest and refreshment are an essential part of the rhythm of grace. They are part of God’s order, lovingly provided for our benefit and well-being.

We find a marvelous illustration of how our Creator included rest in his perfect order when we consider the lion. This “king of beasts” was touted by Solomon to be the strongest of all animals, and yet lions do not run around frantically from task to task. In fact, these deadly predators rest almost 20 hours a day! However, even when they are resting hidden in their lairs, lions are mindful of their surroundings. Their rest is an observant rest; their peace is a perceptive peace. The strength of the lion lies not in unceasing action, but in restful alertness.

And so it is with us! For Christians, strength comes in moments of rest and devotion that keep us alert. In these moments, we cease from our labors so that we can spend quiet “down time” in the presence of the God who rested on the seventh day and instructs us to do likewise. When we pause for prayer or take the time for quiet devotion, we are like a lion in its lair. We are not in retreat; we are not distant from the world, disengaged from our surroundings and our responsibilities. Reading God’s Word and meditating on His will makes us alert to the work our Lord wants to do through us in the world.

When we replace our self-imposed busyness with the rhythm of God’s grace, we find that our Lord adds His blessing to all that we do—a peaceful productivity that no amount of busyness can yield. That’s right, taking time for rest and refreshment actually increases our ability to accomplish the things God has for us to do! As we spend restful time with Jesus, we begin to see the world differently. Our jobs become places for godly service. Our talents become ways we can glorify God.

Jesus, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, is aware our sins—even, and maybe especially, the sin of busyness that ignores God’s clear command to rest! Aware of our self-imposed weariness, our Savior calls us to come to Him and find rest for our exhausted souls. He longs to take our burdens and replace them with His quiet strength. That strength is available to all who come to Him, rest in Him, and abide in Him. In Jesus and Jesus alone we find sacred rest that keeps us alert to God’s love and protection but still allows us to lay down our burdens and savor quiet moments that renew, refresh, and ready us for service in God’s kingom.

Through prayer and devotion, Jesus restores and refreshes us. When we abide in Him and bring our burdens to Him, the Lion of Judah gives us a spiritual rest that keeps us restfully alert and ready for service. Today is the day to allow your Savior the chance to give you the quiet strength to be restful, confident that as you listen to His voice and obey His command that you take time for rest, He will bless you with restful alertness—and perceptive peace.

God, you have made us for yourself,

and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you.

~~Augustine

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A Question to Ponder: “When we abide in Him and bring our burdens to Him, the Lion of Judah gives us a spiritual rest that keeps us restfully alert and ready for service.” Ponder what you are depriving yourself of by not making time for rest.

A Prayer to Offer: Merciful God, how foolish I must look to you as I scurry from one task to another in a whirlwind of activity that ignores your rhythm of grace. Yet you have compassion on me, even when I am my own worst enemy. You forgive my sin and rebellion and give me opportunity after opportunity to get it right! Thank you for your patience with me. By the power of your Spirit living in me, help me to order my priorities so there is time to do all you ask me to do—including time to rest in you instead of anxiously running after the things of this world that cannot and do not satisfy. Give me eyes to see, ears to hear, a heart to comprehend the truth—and a willing spirit that obeys your clear commands, even when they don’t make sense to my finite mind. Forgive me for leaning on my human understanding that tells me more is better. Teach me your ways, O Lord. Show me the path that leads to a life pleasing to you. Slow me down, Lord, and teach me to walk in sync with the Spirit. Thank you for loving me and wanting only the best for me—which includes time for rest and refreshment. Amen.

An Action Step to Take: Take five, 5-minute vacations today! No matter what is on your to-do list, find a quiet place where you can be alone with God, and let Him take you to a quiet place where you can rest.

Jesus said

“Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place

and rest awhile.”

Mark 6:31