July 11: Of Lions, Romans and Daring

1 Chronicles 11:1-12:18

Acts 28:1-31

Psalm 9:1-12

Proverbs 19:1-3

"I will give thanks to You, Lord, with all my heart;

     I will tell of all Your wonderful deeds.

 I will be glad and rejoice in You;

     I will sing the praises of Your name, O Most High."

- Psalm 9:1-2

Pandemic.  Unemployment.  Injustice.  Protest.  Rioting.  Looting.  Disrespect for law, for authority, for logic and reason. 

One might be forgiven for asking "what wonderful deeds?"  The pandemic has disrupted life and livelihood; millions have lost their jobs, millions have contracted the disease (that we know of) and over a hundred thousand have passed away.  On top of that, protest has oft given way to looting and rioting, exacerbating the despair among those who are hurt or lose their livelihood.  So many are mourning, so many more are afraid.  What wonderful deeds?

     "Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, performed great exploits.  He struck down Moab's two mightiest warriors.  He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion." - 1 Chronicles 11:22

     "He was held in greater honor than any of the Thirty, but he was not included among the Three.  And David put him in charge of his bodyguard." - 1 Chronicles 11:25

Would that we could all be as daring as Benaiah who, in his confidence, chose to go into a pit where lay a lion.  Or Paul who, having been put in chains for preaching the Way, dared  summon and preach to the Jewish leaders upon his arrival at headquarters - Rome. These men faced adverse circumstances; they then dared, and then they triumphed.  We know Benaiah was promoted to head of security; we know the legacy Paul has left among the Gentiles.  

But it's tough to be like Benaiah or Paul.  To many of us, daring during the difficult isn't instinctive, isn't second nature.  What to do? Like anything, practice.  An easy, and ready enough example today.  

Pandemic?  I will give thanks to You, Lord, with all my heart.  Unemployment?  I will tell of all Your wonderful deeds.  Injustice, protest, rioting and looting?  I will be glad and rejoice in You.  It seems small, but if we start here, perhaps we will grow to the point we WILL be ready, willing and able to get in a pit with a lion on a snowy day.  

Father, they might seem like small steps, but by Your guidance they will be pointed in the right direction; by Your strength they will lengthen and quicken.  Give us the daring to praise You, then serve You, even in the most adverse of circumstance.