-Strength for Today- "Living Courageously in a World of Fear. - 2 Chronicles 32:7-8.
Once sin came into the world, “fear” followed. And mankind has been plagued by it ever since. However, if you’ve been “born again,” your responsibility now is to take on “Christ-likeness, which take “courage,” and a “willingness” to “say” and “execute our Heavenly Father’s will” regardless of the earthly cost. Acts of “spiritual driven devotedness,” are acts of “courage,” driven by “faith” whether they’re “emotional,” “mental,” or “physical.”
We’re in a “spiritual warfare,” and on Jesus’ “rescue mission,” -Matthew 28:19-20. Courage is indispensable for both “spreading,” and “preserving,” “the truth of Christ.” Jesus promised that spreading the gospel would meet resistance, and that “they will hand you over for persecution, and they will kill you. You will be hated by all nations because of My name” - Matthew 24:9. Paul later said, “I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. And men will rise up from your own number with deviant doctrines to lure the disciples into following them” -Acts 20:29-30. And in 2 Timothy chapter 4:3-4 he said, “For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear something new. They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths. But as for you, be serious about everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
“True evangelism” and “true teaching,” takes courage. And any other mode of “predictable religiosity,” dishonors Jesus’ “obedient sacrifice,” which “disgraces the sovereignty of God.” So, “Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the LORD"- Psalm 31:24. So, we can take courage from God’s promises, knowing that He’s greater than our adversary, that “ole devil.”
In the Old Testament, King Hezekiah and the nation of Judah were faced with the threat of Assyria, and the future looked bleak for Judah. But Hezekiah gathered together the “leaders” of Judah in Jerusalem and encouraged them with these words. “Be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid or discouraged before the king of Assyria or before the large army that is with him, for there are more with us than with him. He has only human strength, but we have the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles...” 2 Chronicles 32:7-8.
Today as we face the “bleakness of uncertainty,” in our nation, let’s pray and thank God for His Words of comfort, and the truths that He’s “with us,” and “for us,” as our “Conquering Deliverer.” And if you haven't forsaken your sin, humbly do so now before the Lord. And like no other time, thank and praise rejoice that He has given us salvation through Jesus Christ, who’s the “Author” and “Finisher” of our faith. Amen.
Author: Plez Lovelady, Jr., PhD