Bearding the Lion...the Wayfarer 1/18/16

Bearding the Lion
1/18/16

⁸ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

(1 Peter 5:8)

The lion mentioned by Peter as a comparison to the true enemy of our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus, is still stalking and devouring all that he may while still allowed to roam loose among the flock Jesus chose to call his lambs.

The soberness and vigilance required is only heightened by the hunger of that beast as it realizes the coming of the Shepherd will forever leave his plate empty upon the arrival of that shepherd!

The flock too is hungry, searching for sustenance as the approaching drought leaves so little of the precious fodder left for them by that Shepherd, leaving so many pleasant looking plants that hide the thorns and thistles that provide no nourishment for them, weakening them and focusing attention elsewhere while the lion continues his stalk.

(1 Peter 5: 1-7)

1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

² Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

³ Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being examples to the flock.

⁴ And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

⁵ Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

⁶ Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

⁷ Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

As the family and the core values established by God for that family deteriorate, elders fail to feed that precious flock, either for reason of finance, or reason of fear of offence, which incidentally also results in their financial loss in most cases.

Oversight of that flock is neglected, allowing the stalking lion ever closer to reaching his goal of devouring as many as possible.

That oversight meant to be given, not neglected and ignored, is marginally and grudgingly given instead by too many interested in either the lucrative positions of authority, or in pursuit of that very authority itself willingly constraining all but themselves from the protection that was meant to be given until the arrival of that Shepherd.

The positions of authority assumed gives them the confidence in their own methods, choosing to be “lords of that heritage”, instead of offering that heritage to all for whom it is intended.

The flock needs examples to follow, willing examples that show the forage available, while carefully steering that flock from the thorns and nettles that would entrap them for the already ravening lion.

The chief Shepherd asked no reward for His service, nor did he make demands of his flock.

His guidance was and is gentle, continuous, offered lovingly to all willing to accept it.

When that Shepherd returns, those entrusted with that flock will be called into account for each and every failure to protect and to FEED it.

Those meeting that requirement will be appropriately rewarded as will those failing to do so.

Comprehension of who the real Shepherd is must be reiterated continually, and the humility of being a servant of that Shepherd must be remembered equally continually.

Cares and problems faced by the flock need direction to that true Shepherd, and that direction must be His, not that of the interloper.

The hireling has no need to care, the Shepherd gives that care freely.

⁸ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

⁹ Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

¹⁰ But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

¹¹ To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

¹² By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.

¹³ The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my son.

¹⁴ Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

(1 Peter 5:8-14)

The primary target of that stalking lion is those who would remain steadfast in the faith despite the afflictions that they face daily.

 It is that faith itself that is not only the target of that lying stalker, but is also the only defense against him as well.

That faith must be strengthened, not weakened, must be nourished, not neglected, lauded and praised, not belittled and denied.

It is through the grace of God that has already been given that faith may be restored to the flock, may be strengthened within the flock and may expand that flock while nourishing and protecting it as well.

God alone has the needed grace to implement the return of that flock from the dangers it faces, and it is to God alone that we need to go for guidance in pursuit of its protection while it is entrusted to servants of that Shepherd.

The promised perfection is yet to come, for both the flock and the servants who are entrusted with the care of that flock, but in the meantime strength, and harmony may be achieved only by following the guidance of that Shepherd, Christ Jesus.

It was his blood that was given and sufficed, not that of any mere man. It is his blood and His grace that remain sufficient and His alone.

It is His glory and dominion that will be eternal, and there is no substitute that will arrive before the return of that Shepherd.

2 Timothy 1:12 King James Version (KJV)

¹² For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

“Repent for the kingdom of heaven  is at hand!”

Amen and Amen
the Wayfarer