I love real lions. How does that fit here?
There used to be some inside fenced pens near Texas up in Oklahoma, we'd visit. They are confident and bold, not hypocritical.
I haven't always been so bold, but today I was here in Lubbock Texas. Yeah, I prayed for this in a sandwich shop.
I was in a line reading my New Testament. I love Proverbs!
While passing through Lubbock, I found myself in a situation that at first felt more awkward than spiritual. I was standing in line at a small sandwich shop, and going through my New Testament when I kept getting bumped from behind in my lower leg by a woman in a wheelchair. Her metal footrest kept hitting and jarring me three times, and she apologized each time. She was distracted and talking to a friend.
Finally, with a little smile: “I guess we were supposed to run into each other today.”
So then in my heart I was silently praying, “Lord, why this and here? How do I turn this strange moment into a conversation about You? There has to be a reason for me stuck here and then this, and I’m not naturally bold.”
You know, I’ve always admired lions—real lions in those fenced preserves up in Oklahoma we used to go visit. Lions are bold, confident, and unpretentious. That’s what I had read, and longed for in this moment: the courage to be sincere, bold, without any hypocrisy, just real.
“If you love Christ, never be ashamed to let others see it and know it. Speak for Him. Witness for Him. Live for Him.” —J. C. Ryle
We all started talking. Some 4 people were listening to us. The lady in that chair shared that she had been up north in Texas visiting her elderly parents. And that also caught my attention, because I had just come back from California where I was just visiting my own parents.
Interesting, we suddenly had some common ground with my sore leg. I started talking with Tracy (that was her name), with her friend who was pushing the chair—and even with Juan, the cashier. As we waited in line, the Lord opened the door so to speak for me to share about Jesus, about prayer, and about faith in Him.
I was thinking of my own family just days before at Dana Strands Beach in California. My older brother Kevin had lost both both of his hearing aids in the sand. Before hitting the wave with me, He had tucked them into his shirt pocket, but later they fell out when we left.
Overnight, the tide had washed over that area of the beach and the next morning we stopped and prayed, asking the Lord to help us find what was lost. Has God always helpped me find everything I have lost? Nope, a lot of stuff, but we prayed anyway. When we went back to that area next to the Dana Point, against all odds, a tiny filament of clear wire was sticking out of the sand. He dug once with one hand, and there they were—both hearing aids in his palm. Amazingly, grace, and they still worked once he recharged them.
God cares about little stuff. If it matters to us, it matters to Him as well.
That memory regarding forgetting became part of my conversation in that sandwich line. I told them how sometimes God graciously answers even small prayers of mine, reminding us He cares about our every need, big or little. He can meet every need of every human! I didn’t lead them to the Lord right there, but we became friends, talked about Jesus, about family, about prayer, and how God answers every prayer with a No, Wait, or Yes (God’s kind goodness). My hope is that seeds were somehow planted—that someday, maybe even soon, those conversations will blossom into a relationship with Christ like I enjoy.
Tracy and her friend had been in North Texas visiting her elderly parents. Oddly, that's what I had been doing out in California this week.. so that's what got us talking about memory and got me silently asking the Lord how to turn this into a gospel conversation. Then the witnessing to Tracy, to her friend pushing that chair, and to Juan at the cash register.. all started.
Sup with lions in this regard? I was simply reminded that they are bold.
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Proverbs 28:1 – “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.”
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Amos 3:8 – “The lion hath roared, who will not fear? The Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?”
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2 Samuel 23:20 – “And Benaiah.. slew two lionlike men of Moab: he went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow.”
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1 Peter 5:8 – “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
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Judges 14:5-6 – Samson kills the lion: “..a young lion roared against him. And the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid.”
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Isaiah 31:4 – “Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey… so shall the LORD of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion.”
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Revelation 5:5 – “Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.”
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Proverbs 30:30 – “A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any.”
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Daniel 6:22 – “My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me.”
Our great example and Lord, Jesus, went the distance, living boldly.. unto death and then rose again. He prays for us.
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Want to live bold and be challenged in godliness, believer? I've been going through Proverbs 30. All of God's word does that challenging.
You know there's one proverb for each day of the month, so regularly pray as you go through.
The Bible says [Proverbs 30:29 kjv], "There be three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going:
[verse 30] A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;
[31] A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up.
[32] If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth."
There's A Hypocrisy That Leaves No Trail (See Proverbs 30), and there are some authentic creatures to learn some good things from.
Mr. Agur sketches four wonders of nature that move with mystery and leave no trace: the eagle cutting through the sky, the serpent slipping over the rock, the ship gliding through the sea, and the mystery of a man with a maiden. Then he adds a darker fifth wonder—unnatural and grotesque: the adulterous woman who sins as easily as she eats a meal, then wipes her mouth and insists, “I have done no wickedness.”
Think about it. Here lies the essence of hypocrisy: sin concealed under the appearance of innocence (like adultresses often do. That sin, like others, is hideous and hurtful to the Lord).
Think about the eagle’s flight; there's no trace or remains of it behind that bird. Think about the snake’s creepy slither; the trail of the snake is soon gone from sight. The desert winds or rain wipe them away. Think about the ship’s wake (I've seen a lot of wakes behind ships because I love to enjoy breakfast on the back of ships), there's a churning but the turbulent waters close again with a calmer sea.
While men may not see the marks of these things, God sees it all, and every step of men and women. He really does and that's why we need to walk in holy fear. Hebrews 4:13 declares, “No creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”
Mr. Kidner observed, “The marvel is of one utterly at ease in sin, treating adultery no more seriously than a meal.” Waltke sharpened it further: “The adulteress smashes the very foundations of society without a pang of conscience.” And Mr. Garrett notes, “She finishes and goes home without a care.” This is not just a woman’s sin; it is the human heart apart from God—sinning boldly and excusing it just as boldly.
We see it in our own era. Mr. George Barna reports that nearly half of professing Christians in America (44%) no longer believe adultery is always morally wrong. It's worse than horrible when people no longer call sin.. sin.
Wrong is always wrong, no matter the song that's sung to make it sound lovely. Righteous is always righteous - so ask for your marching orders today and do right in Christ's power. I plead with, and encourage you to. He knows the best steps for you to take.
Opt to ddo God's will His way instead of your own way. He has a timing, tempo and place for you to do His will.
Barna's statistic is not just disheartening for me to see; it reflects a profound shift in moral conviction. When we people no longer call sin "sin," we're not just losing our way spiritually—we're actively redefining God's truth to just to fit our own desires. It's wrong.
The Bible is clear that what is wrong is always wrong, regardless of the rationalizations, excuses or forced justifications NO MATTER THE TUNES THEY PLAY.. those contemporay cool-sounding hip-cultural songs people play and sing to make it sound appealing.
Biblical Truths on Right and Wrong:
Proverbs 14:12 reminds us, "There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death." We can't trust our own sense of right and wrong when it conflicts with God's.
Isaiah 5:20 delivers a stark warning: "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!" There is the danger of moral compromise, with serious consequences that follow
1 Corinthians 6:18 commands us to "Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body." God's word is uncompromising, Holy and strong on this issue.
Deny Yourself, Live Bold In Christ -- Choose God's Will Over Our Own
Yes, Bold Like a Lion!
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Charles Spurgeon: “The lion in the way does not deter the man of faith; he goes on, confident that his God will deliver him.”
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A.W. Tozer: “A scared world needs a fearless church. Bold as a lion, the righteous must stand when others retreat.”
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John Wesley: “Give me one hundred men who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I will shake the gates of hell. Such men are bold as lions.”
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C.S. Lewis (on Aslan, symbolizing Christ): “He’s not safe, but He is good. He is the King, I tell you.”
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Matthew Henry (commenting on Prov. 28:1): “The righteous are courageous as lions, for they have a good conscience, and a God to go to, and heaven before them.”
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Hudson Taylor: “Unless there is an element of risk in our exploits for God, there is no need for faith. Faith makes us bold as lions.”
The path of righteousness is not determined by popular opinion or personal convenience; it is a righteoous path of obedience to Jesus as our Lord. Our calling is to do His will His way..daily. Yes, according to His word, and in His time.
As the renowned preacher Charles Spurgeon once said, "The Word of God is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I must obey it, not question it." Our role as Christians is to align our lives with Him, with His Holy Spirit, with His unchanging truth of Scripture, not to water down or change His truth to align with our changing feelings or lives.
You and me today, let's press in to know the Lord and commit to pursuing righteousness, living according to God's will. Please know that He has a great purpose and a place for each of us in His local church and divine plan.
That is Proverbs 30:20 in real time—a culture wiping its mouth and saying, “I’ve done no wrong.”
Sin in our times gets sort of sanitized, rebranded, or hidden behind closed doors (it's always been hidden behind something huh). Yet it always leaves scars. Do you ever get alone and tell on yourself to God when you sin or run away from Him? Why not? That tellin' on yourself especially to Him is such a healthy thing to do.
Ever heard from or counseled men who confessed an affair after their marriage after it collapsed? I have. With tears streaming down their faces.. or sometimes with no tears, they say or whisper something like, “I thought I could hide it. I thought it wouldn’t matter. But it burned everything I love.” They each prove the old saying true: sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.
Mr. Agur warns each of us that when sin is normalized, the very earth trembles (Prov. 30:21–23). Listen, Holy is happy even though the world says pleasure seeking is the solution.
Servants ruling, fools in wealth, scorned women demanding praise, maidservants usurping covenant roles—all paint a society where God, His Top Ten List, and God’s order are mocked.
Is it any wonder our world shakes and quakes.. trembles? So many broken homes, fatherless children (cuz many of their fathers are still out seeking pleasure), fractured churches, restless souls—the ground under our feet itself groans under the weight of our fallen human rebellion. The Bible says..
"For we know that the whole creation has been moaning together as in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only this, but we too, who have the first fruits of the Spirit [a joyful indication of the blessings to come], even we groan inwardly, as we wait eagerly for [the sign of] our adoption as sons—the redemption and transformation of our body [at the resurrection]." Romans 8:22-23 amp
Hey there, people, there is hope in Jesus. The same God who sees our hidden sins is the God who is willing to forgive them.
As Spurgeon states, “You may hide your sin from man, but you cannot hide it from God. Yet when confessed, He casts it into the depths of the sea.”
The great call of Proverbs SO clear for us all: do not live like the flakey, deceptive, foolish, unfaithful adulteress, masking guilt with a clean face. Live instead as vessels of honor (2 Tim. 2:21) in the Lord, thoroughly washed, cleansed, and set apart for His plan and glory. Dying to self and living in Jesus is way better for all.
I like that hymn verse: “Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling.”
The eagle’s flight, the serpent’s glide, the ship’s path, and even young love are mysteries of beauty down here. But hypocrisy is not, but it's a mystery of corruption. Some beauty we see on this earth points us to worship God in reverent awe; and the other drives us to tremble before His judgment like the earth trembles. Choose the former and worship Him. Confess, repent, and walk in the light—leaving not some trail of sin all concealed, but the lovely fragrance of Christ revealed.
'For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ which ascends to God, discernible both among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.." 2 Corinthians 2:15
“If you love Christ, never be ashamed to let others see it and know it. Speak for Him. Witness for Him. Live for Him.” —J. C. Ryle
In Proverbs 30:29–31 three other creatures are very interesting to me. They are actually majestic in their pace. Well, perhaps four are?
The 3 creatures show us a picture of wise, stately, and orderly deportment. Each offers a glimpse of the Creator’s power and wisdom (See Job 38:1–42:6) and illustrates the dignity and confidence of those who walk wisely.
30:31 greyhound. The meaning in Heb. is uncertain. Other possibilities are 1) a strutting rooster or 2) a war-horse ready for battle. Cf. Job 39:19–25. male goat. This is the he-goat that was the leader of the flock. Cf Dan. 8:5.
30:32 put your hand on your mouth. Lit. “stop your scheming and talking”—a gesture of awestruck, self-imposed silence. Cf. Job 21:5; 29:9; 40:4.
30:33 produces. The verb is the same (pressing or squeezing) in all 3 instances. These are natural causes and effects to show that anger pressed beyond certain limits produces conflict.
Prov 30:15 Some things are made for honor (29–33). The lion, greyhound, and male goat are regal because God made them that way. The dog is not a lion and the goat is not a beautiful dog, but each has its own kind of honor. The king is regal because of his office and his official trappings (such as an army). If you exalt yourself (v. 32), you will have only artificial honor. If you let God fulfill in you the purpose for which He made you, you will have true honor.
“Three things.. no, four” that's God's poetic way of saying the list here is not complete. The writer of these proverbs is observing the world with delighted interest. Verses 15–31 are an invitation to look at nature from the perspective of a keen observer.
30:24–28 Ants can teach us about preparation; badgers about wise building; locusts about cooperation and order; and lizards about fearlessness. Compare this to Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6:25–34 that an effective way to resist worry involves a careful observation of the birds and the lilies.
Wisdom beats raw strength. God speaks of foresight, refuge, coordination, and resourcefulness in these verses. There are some creatures for God's people to imitate as we serve Him (See Prov 30:24–28; cf. Prov 6:6–8; 22:3; 21:20; Ps 18:2; 1 Tim 5:8; Col 3:23).1) Ants — Foresight & margin (Prov 30:25; 6:6–8)Profit rightly: Work steadily; store in “summer.” Live 10–10–80 (give 10%, save 10%, live on 80%). Build a 3–6 month emergency fund; set aside taxes if you’re gig/1099.Protect family: Buy necessities in season, keep a pantry, maintain insurance and a small cash reserve (Prov 21:20). Schedule preventive care and home maintenance—future you is family protection.Spiritual growth: Planning is not unbelief; it’s stewardship (Luke 14:28). Saving enables generosity when needs arise (Eph 4:28; 2 Cor 9:8).2) Rock badgers (hyrax) — Know your weakness; choose strong refuge (Prov 30:26)Profit rightly: Work from secure positions—good tools, written SOPs, conservative debt, diversified income (Eccl 11:2).Protect family: Take shelter in strong “crags”: Christ (Ps 18:2), church, mentors, legal/financial structures (LLC where fitting), cybersecurity (password manager + 2FA), safety checklists for risky jobs.Spiritual growth: Humility runs to the Rock early (Prov 18:10). Accountability and wise counsel are cliffs that keep you from moral falls (Prov 15:22).3) Locusts — Order & unity without visible king (Prov 30:27)Profit rightly: Systems beat heroics. Standardize budgets, calendars, and recurring bills; batch tasks; use checklists. Pool buying power, referrals, and knowledge with trusted peers.Protect family: Establish household rhythms—weekly family meeting, shared calendar, emergency plan, roles for crisis moments.Spiritual growth: Under Christ the true King, we move together (Eph 4:3–16). Unity multiplies impact and resilience (Acts 2:42–47; Phil 2:2).4) Spider.. and Lizards — Skillful persistence gains access (Prov 30:28; cf. Prov 22:29)Profit rightly, God's way: Live content. Master a modest skill that helps people and keep “spinning” (working wisely)—daily learning, tidy clear communication, diligent follow-through. Small, sticky but right efforts create opportunities places like “in palaces.” Build a simple portfolio if you will and network walking with the wise. You'll grow wise.Protect Your family, and your church family: Can you spin multiple strands (not scams, not spin like we hear from the fake news): main job + prudent side stream; avoid get-rich quick sceems, even in word-faith prosperity churches (Prov 13:11) where it's the false pastor is the one getting rich (I know of some big one in Houston and West Dallas). Keep records, back up data, maintain an emergency contact tree. I also want to protect those of the human family so to speak.
Ants: work at building margin.Badgers: choose strong refuge.Locusts: run all ordered and together.Spiders: practice small, skillful persistence.
