Time to Roar—Part 1

Some time ago, I heard a lion roar so clearly, I almost thought I was overhearing one from the TV or someone else’s device. But I wasn’t. This lion’s roar, the Lion of Judah, hit me in the core of my spirit. This was the first time I heard the roar, but it wasn’t last. At the time of this writing, I’m still hearing the roar. It’s been joined now by drums and a shofar, but the roar continues on.

The Lion is roaring, releasing the glory

In response to hearing this sound, God released a prophetic song, which I scribbled out then recorded with my phone and keyboard. That line, in italics above, is one from that song, and I believe captures the heart of the revelation God gave to me about what the Lion’s roar means in this time. He’s releasing His glory! Everything within me is so excited to see what will happen when the fullness of this prophecy comes to pass. But, here’s the thing…we actively participate!

God can absolutely sovereignly release His glory, and does, but more often, I’ve seen Him release His glory in response to us. When we pursue Him, yield to Him, surrender to Him, and take steps of obedience to His leading, He responds. James 4:8 says, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you,” which means that as we go after Him, He’s coming after us. As we consistently make our passionate pursuit of His presence a part of our lifestyle—think craving—He enlarges our capacity to experience His glory and bear His glory into our environments.

So let’s crave the presence of God. Now, I’m going to invite you into the somewhat messy space that I call my thoughts for a moment. I’ve always thought that greater measures of God’s presence and glory were received because I somehow did something. I somehow displayed enough passion, like I somehow dug in and climbed my way into greater depths of His glory.

But…when I crave something like say…coffee, when I go for it, I’m yielding into the craving. I’m allowing that craving to dictate my choice of Do I drink a cup of coffee today or not? Do I drink two (or three) today or only one? Ultimately, my desire and passion for coffee creates a craving that I yield into and allow to drive my decisions. Shouldn’t it be the same with God? Shouldn’t I desire God and have a burning passion within me that I yield into, and when I yield into God, He then drives my choices. There are verses like Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God.” It is in the stillness that I know God. Not the striving. Not the I’m going to achieve greater glory today posture. A still posture. A yielded one.

So, I decided to try it. During my prayer time, instead of striving and pushing from the depths of my soul, I yielded. WOW! When I was just present with God, He was present with me in a deeper, stronger, and sweeter way than I had ever experienced before. He was present with me in a way that fueled the craving for His glory and heart like never before. So, I want to encourage you, try it. The next time you go to spend that focused time with the Lord, yield. Don’t strive. Don’t take control. Just yield and be with Him. Let Him reveal Himself to you His way, I promise you won’t regret it.