Pastor’s Corner: “Call to Courage”
Matthew 14:27 (NLT) – “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”
God’s call to courage does not include being naïve or ignorant. We aren’t to be oblivious to the overwhelming challenges that life brings. We’re to counterbalance them with long looks at God’s accomplishments. Hebrews 2:1 (NIV) – We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. Do whatever it takes to keep your gaze on Jesus.
We always become like the people with whom we spend the most time. Jesus was most certainly humble (the most humble person who ever lived), but no one could suggest Jesus was a coward. The Lion of the tribe of Judah exuded a constant stream of courageous humility. When we spend time with Jesus, the same stream will overflow in our lives, impacting the people and circumstances around us.
A woman spent several days in the hospital at the bedside of her husband. She relied on hymns to keep her spirits up. Every few minutes, she stepped into the restroom and sang a few verses of “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.” We can do the same! Memorize scripture. Read biographies of great lives. Ponder the testimonies of faithful Christians. Make the deliberate decision to set your hope on Him. Courage is always a possibility.
Joshua 1:9 (NLT) – 9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” As followers of God, you and I have a huge asset. We know everything is going to turn out all right. Christ hasn’t budged from his throne, and Romans 8:28 hasn’t evaporated from the Bible. Our problems have always been His possibilities: The kidnapping of Joseph resulted in the preservation of his family. The persecution of Daniel led to a cabinet position. Christ entered the world by a surprise pregnancy and redeemed it through his unjust murder. Dare we believe what the Bible teaches? That no disaster is ultimately fatal? Feed your fears, and your faith will starve. Feed your faith, and your fears will starve.
God doesn’t choose His servants for their courage or strength. He doesn’t look at the things that impress our friends and qualify us for admiration. He looks at our hearts. He looks for faith and for willingness to do what he asks us to do. He looks for the kind of humility required to exercise courage and strength in His name so that He is revealed as the hero.
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton