Words that came to my mind: Raw, Possessive, Real, Uncontested, Unquestioned, Power, Position, Awe.
There was something so powerful about this piece of art, so awe inspiring that I couldn’t look away and at the same time it was so raw, I felt like I should look away.
For the next 48 hours God kept bringing this painting into my consciousness. He used it to reveal Himself to me in a deeper way. It significantly upped the level of awe that I felt for Him and His power. It increased my faith.
God is SO possessive of His people… of me!
He was not afraid to shed blood to claim His possession.
In my spirit I heard, “ Oh the arrogance of our enemy! Oh the blindness of his ego…our ego!”
Hebrews 1:3 tells us that Jesus, the Lion of Judah, “is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature.” God’s nature is to be lovingly possessive of His people. His unconditional and never-ending love and passionate possessiveness is beyond our human comprehension. His nature is to be protector of His people.
When I look at that lion, I don’t question what would happen if I were to try to take from the lion what is his. I have a fear of him, a healthy fear. I have no doubt what he’s capable of. I have a reverence for his power and his station in the kingdom. He is the king after all, and I am not.
How is it, though, that I sometimes question the even higher power, capabilities and station of it’s Creator? His above-ness of all things…people, problems, circumstances, things?
Why do I question whether He sees me, knows my struggles, my heartaches? Why do I think He takes his eyes off me? Why do I sometimes fear the enemy and his agenda? Do you think this lion would take his eyes off his possession?
Just as you would never dare take from that lion what is his, you are...I am…the possession of the Lion of Judah, bought and paid for with blood. That’s raw…that’s real!
Do I not think He would fight for me and that my enemy is already under His feet?
As I look into the eyes of this lion, I see those are My Father’s eyes when the enemy wants to lay hands on me.
He fights for me… for you. He is my defender…and yours.
When I looked upon this lion, I would not dare take what is his, yet the enemy continues to try… Oh the arrogance!
Oh my arrogance… believing this battle is my own; for it is not.
This lion is a reminder of Who I have as my Protector and where my confidence lies.
Art courtesy of Doug Giles. Check out more of his work @ douggiles.art
