Courage

Where do we find it when we need it?

We sing of Joseph and his coat of many colors, but do we picture him in the dungeons of Egypt? Where was his source of courage in that dire situation?

Or Daniel? We love the image of him safely emerging from the den of lions, but what about when he first heard the roar of the mighty beasts, and the people taunted him as he was led to his doom?

Did his stomach twitch even one time?

And Peter ... he is known as the Rock, the faithful apostle upon whom the modern church is built.

Yet, he faced disgrace after disgrace. How could he know the Lord still loved and trusted him?

Abraham, expelled from a land of milk and honey to wander in the desert. Even as an old man, the promises of God seemed few and far between.

Surely there were times he considered giving up.

Moses had to run for his life after killing an Egyptian.

Paul was arrested ... multiple times and thrown in prison for years.

And Elijah, God’s faithful prophet, survived in the desert for three years on the leavings of ravens ... where was his God then? How did he manage to find the courage to speak up for God then?

When we do the right thing, when we take a stand for God, when we look beyond ourselves and in faith allow the hand of God to lead us, we can cross the Red Sea, reach the other side, and step into God’s blessing.

We take on the role of Child of God, and we begin to see the world through His eyes.

We become the active and vibrant Christian Christ intends us to be.

Tim R. Barker