Lord vs. Lion

“The shields of the earth belong unto God: He is greatly exalted” (Psalm 47:9).  “The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets… Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, that I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?” (Proverbs 22:13,20,21).  “Truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth” (Jeremiah 7:28).  “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

We lift up our eyes to the fields,

For this is our Savior’s command. 
To Him belong all of the shields
By which we are able to stand.

We know that the devil is lurking,

And he, as a lion, has roared.
But God now against him is working,
And Satan still flees from our Lord! 

Has not our Lord written such things

That we may be ready to speak
To each precious soul the Lord brings
To show them the truth that they seek?

Behold now the souls God has cherished

Which we, by His Gospel, may win:
The truth in their darkness has perished,
But God is reproving their sin.

The lion is found in the street,

And roars against those he devours.
Now this no time to retreat
Or hide with the slothful who cowers! 

O Lord, send us forth with Your Word

To speak to the hearts You prepare.
A lion is loose, we have heard.
Ah!  That’s why You’re sending us there!