Don’t Run From The Roar

Most people are familiar with Patrick Henry, one of our United States founding fathers, whose famous line  “give me liberty or give me death” was delivered to the Second Virginia Convention on March 1775, in which he argued that war with Britain was inevitable, and a militia should be raised to defend American liberties. He was a young man of courage and conviction.

Then there was William Wilberforce, who converted to Christianity and changed from a careless wealthy politician to a passionate defender of political views that were solely informed by his faith.    His contemporaries thought his “religious view” on slavery was wrong and that he had no business poking his nose into the world of political opinions.   

Sounds like the same arguments we have today. 

Courageous statesmen are still in rare form and Christian statesmen even less common.

We have become quieted by fear in standing for anything in the public square that might bring repercussions upon us or have us labeled  “haters.”  We have bought into the false notion that Christians should only speak words of piety; after all, it is more noble to be quiet and retreat.

These unspoken rules are even stricter when it comes to Pastors.

Yet, history will testify to the mighty effects that brave clergymen had on redressing societal ills.  Consider “The Black Robed Regiment,” duly named because they were a group formed by pastors throughout the thirteen colonies that were vocal in supporting independence.  They used their fiery preaching to inspire the people to take a stand as well.

Pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer did not allow the pro-Nazi voices of the day deter him from speaking out.  He eventually paid the price with his life while many church leaders were complicit to the evil through their silence in the pulpits.

Timothy lived in a day of great persecution to the followers of Christ, and that is why he tells us that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

This reminder is necessary because the tactic to silence God’s word and His people has been the same through the ages. Those moral issues that contradict the word of God have been placed into the political arena with a “keep out” sign to the church, and yet it is godless leaders who have stepped into God’s domain and dismantled HIS principles through evil laws.   The media loudly reinforces these false principles which has weakened the spines of so many within the church.  

Peter warns us by calling our enemy a “roaring lion.”  “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

Did you know that a roaring lion is the oldest lion in the pride?  His teeth are worn.  His feet are slow.  He’s not as quick or as powerful as he once was.  However, he still possesses his frightening roar.

His assignment is to hide in the grass until an unsuspecting impala or deer comes walking through. He then stands up and roars which sends the animal running away from the roar—and straight into the mouths of the young virile lions who are hiding in wait.  Running straight to their death. All the lion must do is ROAR!

It has never been the strategy of the Lord for His people to flee from the roar but to be the roar.  We are called to be bold as lions especially in the face of those who are lying.  “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion” (Proverbs 28:1). Jesus declared, And I say unto you that you are Peter and upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against them” (Matthew 16:18).

The application:  In the midst of all the roaring, be bold, steadfast, and faithful in spite of any growing opposition.   Ephesians 6: 10 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Whose might?  HIS!

The conclusion of Patrick Henry’s powerful words aptly applies today, “Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God!”

The time is now to stand for the things that God calls holy and just and pure and to do so in spite of the roaring.