Have you ever wondered why it is that some people are more apt to demonstrate courage in the face of a dire event, whereas, others are more apt to flee? Does the courage come from their DNA, their family upbringing, their training, their desire for name recognition (aka vanity), or something else? (Note: a “dire event” could be a life threatening situation, a seemingly impossible circumstance where the odds are stacked against the individual, and/or it could be a perceived malevolent opposition to a specific stand {albeit, faith, religion, political, societal, etc.}).
Observing the societal evolution over the last few decades, it seems that there are fewer and fewer people who are willing to demonstrate any amount of courage; notwithstanding, an exclusion for those who voluntarily serve in one of our military branches, law enforcement, first responders. To further evidence this observation, consider the college and university campuses today. There are now requirements for “safe speech zones” (not to be confused with “free speech zones”). Instead of being willing to have a cordial debate on a given subject; meaning, where two parties listen to one another and present their respective counter points; students are fleeing from anything that is perceived as a “trigger” word, whereas they are either offended by and/or feel threatened by. Likewise, these “safe speech zones” only allow for thoughts, words, expressions that the respective group agrees on; for fear of being alienated in their limited discourse of thoughts and ideas, and/or being challenged to consider alternatives. Consider also how far we have moved away from a society of being “good Samaritans” when someone else needs help, to taking out a cell phone to record the event, never lifting a finger to help the injured party, trying to be the first to post the recording of the injury to social media. Neither of these examples demonstrate courage; only cowardice.
So, again, it must be asked what moves an individual to demonstrate courage? In general, one can conclude that courage is demonstrated when an individual resolves to act for reasons beyond themselves; in other words, for the greater good. But, this necessarily requires that one already has a solid core set of values, morals, and beliefs. In looking through the Scriptures, there are countless examples of people who demonstrated courage. Through a close examination of the individuals, you will find that they had a deep sense of faith in the Lord – prior to when they needed to demonstrate courage. Consider the following examples. Joshua, Moses’ successor, was called upon to lead the Israelites into the promised land. The Lord stated to Joshua in Joshua 1:9,
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
In 2 Chronicles we read of Asa concerning leading the Israelites in to battle, and removing the idols in the land.
2 Chronicles 15:7-8,
“Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded. And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed the altar of the LORD, that was before the porch of the LORD.”
In the book of Esther, we find where queen Esther was called upon to stand before the king on behalf of the Jews.
Esther 4:13-16,
“Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king’s house, more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.”
Peter and the other apostles were threatened with mortal violence if they didn’t stop preaching about Jesus.
Acts 5:27-29,
“And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”
The Lord is looking for people of courage today – but, before courage will ever be demonstrated, faith in the Lord must precede it.
