12/04/2019
We want to do the will of God, and to deliver the gospel message as we have been instructed, but sometimes we are lead to very dangerous places, and told to speak; in those moments are we afraid? Fear can silence us, and yet, Jesus has said we will be protected, so what is it, and who is it, that we are afraid of? Yet even knowing His promise of protection fear can pursue us.
“And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, "Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people."”
Acts 18:9-10 ESV
God’s will for us is often mysterious, and yet at the same time it can be frightening. When Jesus sent His disciples into the world to preach the gospel it was just as intimidating to them as it can be to us now. In this scripture Jesus had to tell Paul not to be afraid, and to reassure him that He was with him. Have we ever been sent to deliver the gospel and stood frozen in our fear? Has Jesus ever had to motivate us, and tell us to get moving? What did we think, or say to Him, at that moment?
“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me. The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.”
Psalms 138:7-8 ESV
My father was an incredibly brave man who was a career soldier who had been decorated for his bravery on more than one occasion, and in more than one war. I knew, from a man who served with him, about a time, while fighting in WWII, in which he was badly wounded by an artillery shell as he lead his men into a German held town in France. He completed the attack, but was then evacuated to England where he received extensive medical attention. After a quick recovery he was returned to France and went right back into combat. Many years later, and long after retiring from service, he came to visit me in Nashville, Tennessee, and as we sat on my back deck one evening, I asked him about what happened after he was wounded that day, and how it felt the first time he went back into battle again. I asked him rather hesitantly if he was afraid of being wounded again. He became quiet, and then began to speak in what sounded like a distant voice, and this is what he said...
“My first engagement after returning to the front we were to attack across an open field and take a town that was held by a sizable German force. In preparation for the attack we were laying at the edge of a field in a wood-line waiting for the signal to go. Finally, the signal came and everyone jumped to their feet and began to charge across the field.”
Then my father paused before continuing...
“my men were running by me as I laid there on the ground. It was then that my first sergeant ran up from behind me and kicked the bottoms of my boots as he yelled “LET’S GO CHARLIE!””
then he paused pause again before continuing. However, this time as he spoke, he seemed to be a million miles away from me, and Nashville, and spoke in a rather sober voice as he said...
“I guess that if he hadn’t done that I would still be laying there.”, and he grew quite, and distant, lost in reflection, and laying in that field once more.
You see, even the boldest, and bravest, of men are afraid under certain circumstances, and Christians are no different. My father had his First Sergeant to kick the bottoms of his boots and shock him back into the moment, but we as Christians need something too... we need the Word of God, and the vision of Jesus to motivate us... and to give us that revitalization of courage, and renewal of purpose in God’s will for us.
“The following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome."”
Acts 23:11 ESV
Paul needed a swift kick in the boots, and we do as well. Are we ready to take on the challenge of doing God’s will, and delivering the gospel message? Are we ready to run, just ahead of our fears, into the mission field? Can we hear God’s voice over the din of battle, and see two or more Christian soldiers running beside us? You see... the challenge isn’t to be fearless... the real challenge it is to act as men and women of faith in the face of our fears by leaning on the courage we receive from Jesus.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the strength you give me each day as I face my fears, and do your will while denying the terror of my fear to have victory over me. Thank you for your Son Jesus who has shown me how to pray, and has demonstrated that you will send your angels to give me strength in the face of danger, and death. Help me Holy Father to mount up on the wings of eagles, and to bravely do those things you ask of me. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you who leads me through the valley of the shadow of death, and encourages me to speak your Word there. Mighty is your right arm, and strong is the armor of your Word. I praise you for your faithfulness, and encouragement. Merciful is your comfort as I quake in the face of fear, and true are the arrows of your promises as they fly before me. All glory is yours Heavenly Father as your grace flows through Jesus Christ to lift me up, and claim victory for you through His gospel, and your Word. Call me Father, and let my voice answer you... “Here am I Lord! What would you ask of me?”
“He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:29-31 ESV
Rich Forbes