www.bible.com/72/jhn.16.33.hcsb
If there is any phrase often repeated in the Bible, it is “Be strong and courageous” or variations of it. That is very telling of what our role is. While God has conquered evil and death, done all of the heavy-lifting for our salvation, He still leaves it to us to have an attitude of strength and courage. He doesn’t offer His courage to us, but calls us to it.
So what is courage? What is this thing we call bravery or valor? Is it not the hope that things will turn out ok and acting accordingly? Men will brave fire and smoke to rescue people trapped in a burning building. We call that courage. Is it? Isn’t it also training yourself in the dangers of fire and learning how to avoid getting burned? Is it the willingness to subject yourself to danger, the uncertainty of random accident? Is that courage?
If so, then to call us to courage is to call us to “face uncertain days because He lives.” Our burning building is this world, burning down all around us. Our courage is the willingness to face the uncertainty of what will happen to us if we go in, to save someone in that building from burning to death. Courage is hope that we will be ok. Courage is knowing we go in with divine protection, knowing that death is only temporary. Courage is willing put ourselves at risk, even of death, to carry out our Father’s orders. That takes courage. He does not force us, but calls us to take the step forward.
Courage, like faith and hope, not only call for belief in something I may not have actually seen or experienced, but also the action to demonstrate our commitment. Be strong and courageous. For I have overcome the world.
God bless you today.
Meritt Musings 