If your dream isn’t destined to fail without God, Mark Batterson claims that your dream is too small. In Chase the Lion, Batterson explores David’s mighty men, mentioned in 2 Samuel 23, and in particular, Benaiah. These courageous men were risk-takers and recognized that the Lord orchestrated great battle victories as they served their king in fearless faithfulness and power.

Benaiah inspired Batterson’s previous book, In a Pit with A Lion on a Snowy Day. Benaiah killed two lionlike Moabites and then followed a lion into a snowy pit and killed it in 1 Chronicles 11:22 and 2 Samuel 23:20. In this book, Batterson writes that “God is in the recycling business. He recycles past experiences and uses them to prepare us for future opportunities.”

With Chase the Lion,  Batterson demonstrates that the snowy pit, failures, and adverse circumstances can become the catalyst for great dreams that can only be achieved through the extraordinary efforts of a team of people and with God leading the way.

Although God did not give Benaiah a dream of greatness, God gave David a promise that he would be King of Israel, and Benaiah acted on God’s promise, in essence living out his dream of serving mightily within David’s dream as a team member.

“The key to dreaming big is thinking long. And the bigger the dream, the longer the time line. When you think in terms of eternity, you should have some dreams that can’t be accomplished in your lifetime.” (p. 106)

David’s dream included the coming Messiah.

Batterson shares the incredible stories of dreamers like David and his mighty men; Wilbur and Orville Wright; John Kilcullen, the founder of the For Dummies books; his dream of National Community Church, the megachurch where he serves as lead pastor in Washington, D.C, and many other instances of greatness from ordinary men and women.

Batterson candidly shares his failures and successes. He recognizes that the failures led him to found National Community Church and the establishment of the church’s eight campuses, a coffeehouse, The Miracle Theatre, and the DC Cream Center.

Chase the Lion is a stirring call to action for today’s Christian.

“Jesus didn’t die just to keep you safe.
He died to make you dangerous!
…
Chase the lion!” (p. 218)

May you fearlessly “Chase the Lion.”

I received this book from the Blogging for Books program in exchange for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

My prayer

Father, thank You for Mark Batterson’s call to action and his willingness to live his life as David’s mighty men lived, with complete faith in their king. Father, empower Your children who are called by Your name to recognize the dream You have for them, and give them boldness to step out in faith, reach out their right hands to You, and follow Your guidance toward that dream. We lean upon You, for we cannot accomplish the dream, but we will walk in the shadow of Your might and in the shelter of Your goodness. We praise You and honor You, Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Share your dream and how God is leading you.