Why it Matters - Courage

Readings for today: Deuteronomy 31-34

Be strong and courageous. A phrase that appears multiple times in this chapter. Moses spoke these words to the people of Israel as they prepared to cross the Jordan into the Promised Land. He spoke them to Joshua as he prepared to hand off his leadership to the next generation. And the Lord reinforces this message by speaking directly to Joshua before Moses’ death. It makes perfect sense. The people of Israel are about to embark on a military campaign that will take them years to complete. They will fight city after city, tribe after tribe in an effort to secure the inheritance God promised them. Among the many things they will need to accomplish this mission, “strength” and “courage” would definitely be at the top of the list. Strikingly enough, however, is where their strength and courage come from. It’s not something they can muster up for themselves. No amount of training or preparation will produce the strength and courage they need. It can only come from one place and one place alone…the presence of the Lord.

Take a moment and consider all the attributes it takes to lead a rich and full and meaningful life. Qualities like strength and courage are essential as are qualities like love, joy, peace, humility, and wisdom. The Bible makes it clear that the source of such qualities is God Himself. No human being can produce these qualities on their own. Even at our best, we can only produce cheap imitations. The qualities we need are the byproducts of experiencing the abiding presence of God. Staying in step and walking with the Holy Spirit. Keeping our focus on Jesus. “Do not be afraid…for the Lord goes with you.” “Be strong and courageous…for the Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you.” “Be strong and courageous…I myself will be with you.” Over and over again, God makes it clear that strength and courage only come from Him and He is faithful. He will never leave His people for forsake them.

Do we believe God? Do we take God at His Word? Do we trust Him to be faithful to His promise? That’s the fundamental question. So if we find ourselves living in fear, we should seek refuge in the presence of God. If we find ourselves overwhelmed with anxiety, we should run to Christ and cast all our anxieties on Him. If we find ourselves in need of strength and courage to face the challenges of our day to day life, we should start each day on our knees asking God to make us aware of His abiding presence in our lives. The more aware we are, the more courage and strength we’ll have to face each day.

Readings for tomorrow: Joshua 1-2, Psalms 105

Our Refuge and Strength

Readings for today: Revelation 17-18, Psalms 46

I lived in Princeton, New Jersey on 9/11. Many of my friends and colleagues interned in New York City. Many of the families my wife worked with in her after school program worked in New York City. On the morning when the planes hit the towers, I was turning left from Canal Pointe Boulevard onto Alexander Street to go to campus. I was listening to the radio when the news hit. Every station I checked carried it. Every person delivering the report was in shock. Like everyone, I was in disbelief. I could not wrap my mind around the events. I could not begin to imagine the scope of the tragedy.

An acquaintance of mine was serving as a pastor off Fifth Avenue at the time in the city. When the towers fell, he put on his clergy robe and ran out into the streets. He threw open the doors of his church and people streamed in seeking sanctuary. A safe place. As he watched them mill about the auditorium, he knew he needed to say something. But how does one begin to put words to the national nightmare we were experiencing? My friend turned to Psalm 46. He read the Psalm aloud over and over again. God is our refuge and strength. God is our present help in time of trouble. We do not need to fear though the earth gives way for God is with us. The God of Jacob is our fortress. Our stronghold. Be still and know that I am God. As he recited those words, a sense of peace came over the place. The people began to calm down. They began to weep. The initial shock began to wane. They provided what food and water they could. They let people stay as long as they wanted. The church stayed open 24/7 for days as people kept coming, looking for help. Looking for hope. My friend kept returning to those Psalm.

There is nothing more powerful than knowing God is with you in the midst of tragedy. Nothing more comforting than knowing we are never alone no matter what we may go through or face in life. God is the one unmovable, unshakeable, unbreakable reality in existence. Everything else is on the clock. Father Time is undefeated whether you are talking individuals or empires. The universe itself is dying every day as more and more of her energy is spent. This is why we look to God. We know we cannot count on the things of this world. We cannot depend on the people of this world. We cannot place our trust in princes or kings, prime ministers or presidents. There is only One who is faithful. Only One who is good. Only One who has the authority and power to be our refuge and strength. Be still and know God, friends.

Readings for tomorrow: Revelation 19-20, Psalms 47 (No devotionals on Sundays)