The Lion of Judah

I've been giving some thought to the nature of God recently.  It has a lot to do with how I relate to God, and how He relates to me.  This comes from recent struggles with various aspects of my own dark nature; be it my own sinfulness, my cynical outlook, or my rather violent proclivities.  I realize, that to a large extent, I am an animal.  Granted, I've been house broken, but I am an animal.  The same can be said for many people, but men in particular.  

We have violent or aggressive natures.  We are capable of great savagery, and some of our base instincts towards interpersonal conflict resolution involve blood letting.  Or maybe that's just me.  We establish ourselves by playing various versions of "I'm bigger than you", whether it's through physical displays, economic displays, psychological intimidation, or even in the games we play.  All of these are very beastial behaviours, some just have more "civilized" polish to them.

As I thought about these things, I also thought about some of the ways in which God described Himself.  I think He very deliberately called Himself the "Lion" of Judah.  The Lion is revered as the king of beasts.  An alpha lion establishes dominance over it's pride by playing a very brutal game of "I'm bigger than you", and then subjugates or banishes any would be contenders.  When Job brought charges against God, He replied with several chapters worth of "I'm bigger than you."  The Word very specifically declares God's sovereignty over all; not just by right but by power.  Even the Adversary admits that God gave him his authority when he tempted Jesus.  He didn't boast that he stole or took anything.  He said God gave it to him.  That clearly indicates that God also limits his and everyone else's authority.  (This also implies that things are running the way God intended for them to, but that's another blog.)

For me, what this boils down to is that God understands my darker nature, my beastial self.  What's more, He not only understands it, but He can easily subjugate it.  He's also not afraid to get his paws bloody in order to do it.  This is of great comfort to me in the midst of some of my struggles.

I must also give praise that I am currently less tempted towards, shall we say "helping various medical professionals take much needed vacations to unknown tropcial locations via the Bermuda Triangle" now that I am no longer in "purgatory."

Until later, I leave with my favorite poem by John Donne

Holy Sonnet XIV: Batter My Heart

Batter my heart, three-personed God, for you
As yet but knock, breathe, shine, and seek to mend;
That I may rise, and stand, o'erthrow me, and bend
Your force to break, blow, burn, and make me new.
I, like an usurped town, to another due,
Labour to admit you, but Oh, to no end.
Reason, your viceroy in me, me should defend,
But is captived, and proves weak or untrue.
Yet dearly I love you, and would be loved fain,
But am betrothed unto your enemy:
Divorce me, untie or break that knot again,
Take me to you, imprison me, for I,
Except you enthrall me, never shall be free,
Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me.