I do not like to challenge an animal who feels threatened, but neither do I believe in running away when I am threatened. Living in north central Canada has provided me with more than one encounter with wild animals. I can expect those in the wild, but not usually in the city. A few days ago, I was walking with my wife along a walking path that we often take. On the trail ahead of us we could see this dog without an owner. As we approached, he started to bark loudly. A little concerned that he may decide to attack, I suggested to my wife that we take a different path. As we took a turn, the dog began to move quickly towards us, barking and growling menacingly. That was enough! I turned and pointed my finger at him and firmly said “No!”. He stopped suddenly, all the while still barking. In the same confidence, I said “Go home!”. He turned, and in fear, turned and ran back along the trail and into the bushes. Not knowing if continuing again along the same path would elicit another encounter, I asked my wife what she wanted to do. Now you need to know that this was a German Shepherd, the same breed of dog that had attacked her as a child. Bravely she said, “Let’s keep going. He went home like you told him to”. We did that, and there was no further confrontation.
If this had been the first time we had confronted an animal in this manner, she might have thought differently, but faith is contagious. She had seen me confront a bear and, on two occasions, an elk in the same manner. Whenever I have had to do this, it was with a confidence that God was with me. I have learned to speak with authority to animals because God has given man dominion over animals, but I will not do this presumptuously. I believe that these animals know they are dealing with God, not me. That dog turned and ran like he had seen something terrifying. I wonder if he saw my angel standing with me. I do not exercise that kind of authority because I can, but because I must. If I give in to fear, God cannot help me. If I believe, all things are possible.
There are many examples in the Bible where faith was “caught”. Take David’s mighty men for example. When David faced Goliath as a boy, all of Israel’s army was fearful of a giant. After witnessing David’s many victories of faith, other men rose in faith. In 1Chronicles we read about Eleazar, one of the mighty men, who stood with his men against the Philistines in a barley field when the rest of the people fled (1Chron. 11:12-14). There is another situation like this one where Shammah stood by himself against the Philistines in a field of lentils, when the rest of the people fled (1Sam. 23:11-12). Which event occurred first I do not know, but it is obvious that one was encouraged by the other. In both these situations, you can see that the issue was not the barley or the lentils, it was the welfare of the nation. God helped Israel win great battles through men who took a stand in faith.
What kind of faith is this? It is a faith like that of the centurion, who knew how to be “in” authority while “under” authority (Matt. 8:9). It is difficult sometimes for me to know when to exercise authority by faith because I want to live a crucified life. What simplifies it is when I see myself as a steward. Because I have responsibilities, I can protect myself to fulfill those responsibilities. I can also exercise faith to protect those in my care. When I go for a hike in an area that may be bear territory, I take along bear spray and make noise to warn animals of my presence. God has given them a place to live but He has not given them permission to harm His children. If I see a wild animal before it sees me, I will go around it or turn back. If the animal notices me, I speak soothingly to it, assuring it that I am not a threat. If it begins to move towards me in an aggressive manner, I do not run away because it can outrun me. Rather, I stand and take authority. My confidence is that God has all authority in heaven and on earth and if I stand “under” His authority, He will defend me. He has taught me this concerning evil spirits, and the animal kingdom is no different.
As we enter this end-time period of tribulations, we will see an increase in challenges from nature. This is a time of warning for the Church and the world at large. Will we blame God for the consequences of our sins, or will we repent and trust Him for deliverance? The Lord told the Israelites that if they departed from Him, plagues and wild beasts would come upon them (Lev. 26:21-21). We are in the days when God is bringing discipline to the Church. Make it your aim to be reconciled with God and to believe His promises. Tests of faith will come, but Jesus is praying that our faith will not fail. After we have been tested, we are to strengthen our brothers (Lk. 22:32).
Highway in the Wilderness 