But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.  2nd Timothy 4:17  NIV

The small group of friends walked under the large spreading trees in the African bushveld.  There was a herd of elephants off to their left and a murky pool of crocodile infested water on their right.  Suddenly they saw a pride of lions in the shade of the tree ahead of them.  Only a young male was startled and ran a few yards off.  The three females crouched down as if they had just seen their next prey.  The leading lioness of the hunting pack began creeping slowly towards the adventurous visitors.  She crouched as if to pounce!  One of the friends whispered to the others to stand still if she charged and not to take off running.  It would be the end of them.  Who do we have standing at our side to give us strength?

Far worse than being boxed in by dangerous animals, we may never even imagine the pitfalls and evil lurking in the shadows around us today.  Many a deadly trap would pounce on us and steal us away from God.  We need someone by our side who sees and knows the danger.  We need a Guide!  We need someone with super-human strength to protect us!  Shall we choose the Son of God?  Shall we edge in close to Him today?  Shall we pray that we stand so close to Jesus, that He can be our Savior and be the One always at our side?

Dear Lord,

Help us invest our time and efforts in being with You so that You will forever be the One who is at our side, we pray!

Amen