Posts Tagged ‘courage’

Reluctant Warriors

Saturday, April 25th, 2009

You know what baffles me? That God invites humans to participate with Him in building His kingdom. Does He really need our help? I doubt it – He can do anything He chooses whenever He chooses in whatever manner He chooses. Why He entrusts us with such a responsibility and allows us the privilege to partner with Him is beyond me, but clearly He wants us to be actively involved in some way.

This morning I read about the battle involving Sisera, the commander of King Jabin’s army. Judges 5:13-15 speaks of various tribes of people marching down against the mighty warriors. But then the tone changes. Verses 15b-17 say, “But in the tribe of Reuben there was great indecision. Why did you sit at home among the sheepfolds – to hear the shepherds whistle for their flocks? In the tribe of Reuben there was great indecision. Gilead remained east of the Jordan. And Dan, why did he stay home? Asher sat unmoved at the seashore, remaining in his harbors. But Zebulun risked his life, as did Naphtali, on the battlefield.”

It’s clear that God wanted the people’s involvement in fighting this battle. Some, like the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali, chose to go; others chose to stay. What kept the latter from participating?

  • Indecision
  • Complacency – contented with the norm
  • Fear – remaining in the harbors where it was safe
  • Maybe even laziness? – sitting unmoved at the seashore

Verse 23 really grabs me: “‘Let the people of Meroz be cursed,’ said the angel of the Lord. ‘Let them be utterly cursed because they did not come to help the Lord, to help the Lord against the mighty warriors.’”

Again – did God really need the people’s help in fighting this battle? I don’t think so. But He wanted their participation. He wanted them to get involved.

There’s a spiritual battle going on in the world today. Satan is striving to steal and destroy  every man, woman, and child. God could wipe him out in a heartbeat. That time will come, but until then, we’re to go to battle. What’s stopping us? Indecision? Complacency? Fear? Maybe even laziness? I pray not!

“God, grant us eyes to see the world as You see it. Make us aware of the battle that rages to humanity’s souls. Give us Your fervor, Your passion for the lost. Grant us the courage to get involved wherever You direct us to go. May it not be said about us that we did not come to help You fight against the enemy. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

I Wanna be Like Caleb!

Friday, April 17th, 2009

Caleb is one of my all-time favorite OT characters. When Moses appointed him and 11 other men to spy out the Promised Land, he and Joshua were the only two who came back with a “Let’s go for it!” attitude. The others focused on the challenges and bred fear into the Israelites. As a result, the people disobeyed God and ended up wandering around in the wilderness for 40 years.

Joshua 14:7-14 tells it all. Caleb was a man of wisdom and courage. A man firm in his belief and behavior, unswayed by the fearful and faithless who surrounded him. What set him apart? Look at v. 7,8 – “I was forty years old when Moses, the servant of the Lord, sent me from Kadesh-barnea to explore the land of Canaan. I returned and gave from my heart a good report, but my brothers who went with me frightened the people and discouraged them from entering the Promised Land. For my part, I followed the Lord my God completely.”

Caleb followed the Lord completely. He’d embraced Him as his God, worshiping nothing else above Him. He saw the same challenges as his co-spies did when they surveyed the Promised Land, but he viewed them through God’s command and promise. He knew God was bigger than any obstacle they faced, and he trusted Him to give them victory. He followed God alone, not his feelings or the negative report made by the other spies.

I wanna be like Caleb. When presented with a challenge or seeming impossibility, I want to operate according to God’s truth, not according to what others say or feel. I want my life to exemplify rock-solid faith in an all-powerful God. I want to follow the Lord my God completely, and to encourage others to do the same. Let it never be said that I frightened others and discouraged them from pursuing God’s plans for them because of my feeble faith. Rather, let it be said that I wholeheartedly followed the Lord.

Is this your prayer, too?

Fear is a Big Deal, but God is Bigger

Friday, March 27th, 2009

Fear is a big deal to most people. That’s nothing new. It was a problem for the Israelites, too. Deuteronomy 7 tells the story of how God commanded the Israelites to conquer seven nations that outpowered them. Perhaps the very thought struck fear into their hearts, and they wondered how in the world they could ever go to battle against these nations and win (v. 17). (more…)

Is Christianity for Wimps?

Thursday, January 29th, 2009
I remember the day an acquaintance told me, “Christianity is for wimps. It’s a crutch for weak people.” I can’t think of a statement that’s further from the truth!

Christianity is costly. It demands the courage to walk away from the world’s siren call for physical comfort and financial security. It requires the willingness to face persecution for one’s faith. It risks the rejection of family and friends.

This morning I read from Matthew 19:16-21 where someone asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. When Jesus told him he ought to sell his earthly belongings, give the money to the poor, and then follow Him, the man turned away. Following Jesus would have cost him financial insecurity and physical comfort, and he was neither ready nor willing to give those up.

I spent yesterday afternoon and evening with a young missionary couple who work in Romania. Their names are Andy and Tresha McKnight, and they minister to children and teenagers who have HIV/AIDS. They’ve given the past 10 years of their lives to helping these kids who are considered the lepers of modern society in their own country. The work has been physically and emotionally demanding as they’ve trusted the Lord for finances month after month, watching the cost of living escalate beyond their budget, being separated from their family for months or even years at a time, living in a land where medical care for their own two wee children is minimal at best.

Are they wimps? Au contraire! They’re modern-day heroes in my books. They’ve counted the cost of following Jesus, and they’re not looking back.

Those who are willing to count the cost are noticed by God Himself. He’s got good things in store for them. Verse 29 says, “And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will have eternal life.”

There’s no possible way that Christianity is a religion for those who need a crutch. It’s for those who are willing to count the cost, pay the price, and demonstrate the courage necessary to follow Jesus wherever He leads. And for those brave souls, a reward awaits!