Psalms 57:4

My soul is among lions.

Among lions

Some of you cannot say this, and you ought to be very thankful that you cannot. You live under very favourable circumstances. But there are many that are far less happily placed, and we are bound to remember them, and to sympathize with them. Now, when may a Christian man truly say, “My soul is among lions”? lie may say this when he is surrounded by those, whether in his home or place of business, who reproach and rebuke, jest and jeer at him, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Many are so placed. Now, I would speak to such as are amongst these lions--dogs would be almost a better name for them.

I. By way of comfort.

1. You will have fellowship with your Lord and His Church. He and they had to bear what you have, and far worse.

2. You should thereby be driven nearer to God. Be sure that you live near to God.

3. Endeavour to be very calm and happy. Take as little notice of the scoff as ever you can. Very seldom defend yourselves. The hammer strikes hard upon the anvil, but the anvil wears out many hammers.

4. Remember that the lions are chained. See the history of Daniel.

5. If your soul is among lions, there is another lion there--the lion of the tribe of Judah. The Covenanters have said that they never had such Sabbaths in Scotland as when they were hunted amongst the crags and glens by Claverhouse’s dragoons. Great power, then, attended the Word.

6. You will come out of the lions’ den unharmed. 7, And soon you shall be among the angels.

II. By way of advice.

1. If you dwell among lions do not irritate them. Some Christians do, and so have made matters bad for themselves. You cannot ram religion down people’s throats, or scold people into it.

2. Do not roar yourself. Do not meet railing with railing, hard words with hard words. Do not get soured in spirits. Overcome evil with good.

3. But do not be cowardly. A lion is afraid of a man if he looks him steadily in the face. Courage is what is wanted.

4. Do not go out alone among them--take your Lord with you.

5. If you feel very weak about it you may pray the Lord in His providence to move you to quieter quarters. But, better still--

6. Ask for grace to stop with the lions and tame them. Sometimes the Christian should say, “God has made me strong, I will stop here and fight it out. My Master would have me go where I am most wanted, and so I will stay here.” Do not be afraid of sinners, but seek to save them. (C. H. Spurgeon.)