COURAGE

Fearless is not truly the absence of fear. It could be fearing less, not without fear. A better definition would be courageous. Courageous is doing it scared. Still stepping out and doing the hard thing, but doing it, nonetheless. And usually with a certain amount of fear.

Speaking in public seems to be a common fear. So are heights. And spiders, and so on. We are a fearful people. Some amount of fear would seem inevitable, but fear which paralyzes is not good.

We are called to action. We are called to belief. We are called to trust.

We are called to be courageous.

We have enemies. We have an enemy. Life is hard and life has turns, curves, hills, and valleys. How does one prepare for such? We trust in an Almighty Saviour because He is powerful, He is Sovereign and He is good and does good things. (Psalm 119:68)

Having an affliction could be terrifying. How do I know? Because I am living it.

Not knowing the outcome, the end, the level, the day-to-day can send anyone into a tail-spin. It’s why we need to drop our four anchors as the sailors did to avoid certain death in Acts 27:29. Paul was aboard that ship and God had told him he would go to Rome. He was when this storm began raging.

Did you know the term storm technically means winds. High winds. Tumultuous winds which wreck havoc especially for ships, near the shores and for mankind. Out in the middle of the vast ocean, I imagine high winds with nothing around but water would agitate the water, fish in the water and not much else. But get a ship riding that storm, or the storm closer to land, and a problem develops.

We prefer to have our storms far away from us. We do not like to be tossed around, buffeted, unsure of what a day may bring – whether rain, sun, affliction, or good health. We cope better when life is calm.

However, God’s ways are not our ways. As Luke wrote in Acts 17:27 –

God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. (NIV)

Incredible truth. Amazing grace. How sweet is the sound. God desires we should reach for Him. The NKJV has the word grope for reach. But, the Greek has a richer word altogether from these two translations. The word is psay-laf-ah’-o and its meaning means to feel. As in to handle or touch. To verify existence by touch.

Wow. God desires we verify His existence. He wants us to be so close to Him we touch Him. How is this possible as we are here on earth and He is on His throne in heaven?

He anointed us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Corinthians 1:22 (NIV)

The Holy Spirit resides in us. This is how we know, touch, and feel Him. When we read the Bible, we know, touch, and feel Him because Jesus is the Word. (John 1:1) The Word is alive and active. (Hebrews 4:12)

When we know God, really know Him, we do not fear. Perfect love casts out fear. (I John 4:18). We can be strong in Him because we are filled with Him. We can be courageous because He is with and in us. We can do the hard thing even without understanding every detail.

To live is to be fully dependent on a dependable God. Praise God He is for us, and He leads us every step of the way. May we courageously follow where He leads in submissive obedience and love for our Shepherd.

Father God, our Shepherd who leads, guides, determines, loves, and holds us close. Thank You we can know You, touch You and follow behind You. Grant us courage Lord to walk in strength, to endure, to trust and believe. Grant us belief and faith to continue even when we do not understand. In the Name of Jesus. AMEN