“The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.” (1 Sam 17:37)
When David first offered to go and fight Goliath, Saul turned him down. But David pressed his case, explaining how he had fought wild animals as a shepherd. No doubt Saul was impressed that a such a young man had killed lions and bears, but more impressive was his faith in God. Saul could see he was spiritually ready.
As adults, and especially as parents, we are naturally protective of the young and inexperienced. But there comes a time when we have to let our young people go fight the good fight. Over the past few years hundreds of thousands of parents have had to literally face that moment. Millions more have watched their children head off to college or a job in a different city. The battle ahead may “only” be a spiritual one, but the danger is real enough. Yet it would be a mistake to forever keep them safe behind our walls. There comes a time when we must say to them, “Go, and the Lord be with you.”
Showing posts with label courage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label courage. Show all posts
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Never Fight Alone
Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God? (1 Sam 17:26)
For forty days Goliath had stood before the Israelite army, issuing his unanswered challenge. They were all terrified. There is safety in a crowd. Against all odds men will master their fears and run forward together in battle. But to advance alone against such an overwhelming opponent was more than they could bear. David, however, saw the situation clearly. The true soldier of Israel never fights alone, for God is with him. This “uncircumcised Philistine” may be nine feet tall, but he is doomed to be defeated because he has dared to challenge the living God. David did not go into battle armed only with a sling. He went into battle with the power of the Almighty to defend him. Goliath, in his arrogance, thought he had the overwhelming advantage. He never knew what hit him.
For forty days Goliath had stood before the Israelite army, issuing his unanswered challenge. They were all terrified. There is safety in a crowd. Against all odds men will master their fears and run forward together in battle. But to advance alone against such an overwhelming opponent was more than they could bear. David, however, saw the situation clearly. The true soldier of Israel never fights alone, for God is with him. This “uncircumcised Philistine” may be nine feet tall, but he is doomed to be defeated because he has dared to challenge the living God. David did not go into battle armed only with a sling. He went into battle with the power of the Almighty to defend him. Goliath, in his arrogance, thought he had the overwhelming advantage. He never knew what hit him.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Strong and Courageous
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Josh 1:9)
Moses has just died. God is commissioning Joshua as the new leader of Israel. They are about to enter the promised land at last. Three times in this passage God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous (v 6,7,9). Now Joshua was a stout-hearted man, but even he might have been nervous about stepping into Moses’ shoes and leading the conquest of Canaan. Joshua had great faith in God, but perhaps part of his faith had really been in Moses all these years. Moses was clearly anointed by God. No one had such a relationship with the Lord as he had. If Moses said, "God commands us to do X", you could be confident that was what God commanded. There is a certain comfort in being second in command, especially to one like Moses. Now Joshua had to step out on his own. But he was not actually alone. God is reassuring Joshua that he will be with him just as he was with Moses.
There comes a time when we each have to step up, take responsibility for what God is leading us to do, and not wait for someone else to show us the way. When God gives you a task, be strong and courageous! He will go before you, behind you and beside you. You are never alone when you are walking in his will. Be strong and courageous!
Moses has just died. God is commissioning Joshua as the new leader of Israel. They are about to enter the promised land at last. Three times in this passage God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous (v 6,7,9). Now Joshua was a stout-hearted man, but even he might have been nervous about stepping into Moses’ shoes and leading the conquest of Canaan. Joshua had great faith in God, but perhaps part of his faith had really been in Moses all these years. Moses was clearly anointed by God. No one had such a relationship with the Lord as he had. If Moses said, "God commands us to do X", you could be confident that was what God commanded. There is a certain comfort in being second in command, especially to one like Moses. Now Joshua had to step out on his own. But he was not actually alone. God is reassuring Joshua that he will be with him just as he was with Moses.
There comes a time when we each have to step up, take responsibility for what God is leading us to do, and not wait for someone else to show us the way. When God gives you a task, be strong and courageous! He will go before you, behind you and beside you. You are never alone when you are walking in his will. Be strong and courageous!
Monday, September 20, 2010
The Battle Is the Lord's
This is what the Lord says to you: Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. (2 Chron 20:15b)
Jehoshaphat faced a vast army that had come against him from Moab, Ammon and Mount Seir. But he did not panic. He turned to God in prayer. The prophet’s words to him could also be for us. When trials come, remember that the battle is the Lord’s. God miraculously defeated Jehoshaphat’s enemies that day. Sometimes God will allow us to suffer for awhile, but always God’s plan for us is secure. He has charted our path, and will see us through. The battle is the Lord’s.
Jehoshaphat faced a vast army that had come against him from Moab, Ammon and Mount Seir. But he did not panic. He turned to God in prayer. The prophet’s words to him could also be for us. When trials come, remember that the battle is the Lord’s. God miraculously defeated Jehoshaphat’s enemies that day. Sometimes God will allow us to suffer for awhile, but always God’s plan for us is secure. He has charted our path, and will see us through. The battle is the Lord’s.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
True Masculinity
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love. (I Cor 16:13-14)
Many Christians today believe that the contemporary American church has feminized the Gospel. And it does seem like you are more likely to hear “Do everything in love” at church than “Be men of courage.” But there is really no conflict between these two. We have to remember what true Biblical love means. True love is acting in the best interest of others. True masculinity is not to be equated with selfishness or rashness but with strength and self-sacrifice. It is nevertheless true that I can’t recall every hearing verse 13 quoted in church. And, personally, I don’t think of myself as being particularly firm, courageous and strong. I've never been one of the guys who sit around talking about sports, hunting and physical abilities. It is easy to think of myself as less of a man because I am not physically robust and have different interests. But I don’t think Paul was speaking of physical strength, necessarily. I can be a man of faith, courage and strength of character. This is the kind of masculinity we most need and which is most lacking. I am no less a man for my lack of athletic skills. To be a real man, a godly man, I must cultivate an inner strength, the kind that comes only from God. Holy Spirit, mold me and shape me to walk in faith with courage and integrity, as a true man of God. Amen.
Many Christians today believe that the contemporary American church has feminized the Gospel. And it does seem like you are more likely to hear “Do everything in love” at church than “Be men of courage.” But there is really no conflict between these two. We have to remember what true Biblical love means. True love is acting in the best interest of others. True masculinity is not to be equated with selfishness or rashness but with strength and self-sacrifice. It is nevertheless true that I can’t recall every hearing verse 13 quoted in church. And, personally, I don’t think of myself as being particularly firm, courageous and strong. I've never been one of the guys who sit around talking about sports, hunting and physical abilities. It is easy to think of myself as less of a man because I am not physically robust and have different interests. But I don’t think Paul was speaking of physical strength, necessarily. I can be a man of faith, courage and strength of character. This is the kind of masculinity we most need and which is most lacking. I am no less a man for my lack of athletic skills. To be a real man, a godly man, I must cultivate an inner strength, the kind that comes only from God. Holy Spirit, mold me and shape me to walk in faith with courage and integrity, as a true man of God. Amen.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Don't Blow It
Not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it. (Num 14:73)
The Israelites blew it. They had their chance to enter the promised land, but they chickened out. There are a few great moments of decision in our lives, and the consequences can be dramatic. When God puts a choice before us, we cannot count on getting a second chance. Let us pray that we will rise to the occasion in that hour and choose the path the Lord has called us to travel.
The Israelites blew it. They had their chance to enter the promised land, but they chickened out. There are a few great moments of decision in our lives, and the consequences can be dramatic. When God puts a choice before us, we cannot count on getting a second chance. Let us pray that we will rise to the occasion in that hour and choose the path the Lord has called us to travel.
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