Two boys one day went to a circus, one of them carrying a tiny dog. Wandering around they came to the lion’s cage and stood watching the great king of beasts as he paced back and forth in captivity.
Presently one of the boys suggested they slip the little dog in between the bars of the cage and see what would happen. No sooner said than done, and the little creature, sensing its great danger, crawled to the farthest corner of the cage. The lion, noticing the little intruder, walked majestically across, smelled the dog all over and then resumed his patrol.
The young fellows went off, but returned some time later and went at once to the lion’s cage. What was their astonishment to find the great beast lying in the center of the cage fast asleep, while between its massive front paws, curled up like a round ball, the little dog lay fast asleep also. Evidently the lion and the dog had become fast friends.
Calling to the keeper, one of the boys said, “That’s my dog!”
“All right,” was the reply, “if you want it, then just step in and take him.”
Needless to say the matter ended there for the time being. The boy must face the lion to get his dog, and this he was not prepared to do.
Now in the Scriptures the lion is often a picture of Satan, the great enemy, but not in every case. The Lord Jesus is Himself spoken of as “The Lion of the Tribe of Judah.” There can be no question of His strong might beyond the power of Satan, and there can be no doubt as to the security of all those who trust in Him. Every one who trusts in Him is secure against every attack of Satan. He knows that before he can touch us He has to meet the Lord Jesus Christ. He has already been defeated by our blessed Saviour, and he cannot harm one who is “safe in Christ.”
The little sleeping dog between the lion’s great paws may well serve as a picture of the peace in which the believer rests in his Saviour’s arms. From His own dear lips came the precious words, “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [one] pluck them out of My hand;... and no [one] is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand.” (John 10:28,2928And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. (John 10:28‑29).)
How strong is His arm, how great is His power! Then, trembling sinner, trust Him now. And, dear Christian, put your hand in His, know that His hand is in the hand of His Father, and in the happy sense of security, sing,
Jesus, strength of our salvation,
None can pluck us from Thy hand;
In the hour of dark temptation,
Kept by Thee we safely stand.
ML-05/07/1978