Taking Courage
Some people are born risk
takers. Years ago, my uncle came out of his farmhouse to discover that his
eight-year-old son was halfway up the silo, climbing on the circular rings that
wrapped around it and held it together. He was forty feet in the air and in a
serious life-threatening position. While some children are afraid to cross the
street, he was climbing the Tower of Babel. Some individuals are simply born
with a tendency of fearlessness.
We have no indication whatsoever
that David was that kind of person. We do know, however, that he was a man of
passion. The lion and the bear that he is recorded to have killed were not
killed because of his fearlessness, but rather his passion to protect his sheep.
The second king of Israel was a man of great passion with a protective spirit.
One of my favorite places in the
land of Israel today is the valley of Elah where the
shepherd boy felled the Philistine giant. I love to stand in that valley and
recount the passion of David for God. He saw the blasphemy of the giant as more
than he could bear. His anger swallowed his fear as he confidently taunted his
mismatched enemy.
In that valley, David becomes
the personification of Paul’s words: “If God be for us, who can be against us?”
(Romans 8:31) Or maybe we should ask, “Who cares who is against us?” David was horrified by the thought of a pagan
warrior making fun of the God of Israel. His disgust assassinated his logic and
with it, all timidity, and sent him out against the seasoned warrior with five
stones and a sling. There is a time to be fearless and a time to fear that has
nothing to do with personality structure.
Today, we need to talk about
taking courage. It is a requirement of the Christian faith. Throughout the
history of the Christian faith, the great men and women have been individuals
of great courage. These “reeds not shaken in the wind” have been presented to
us through the pages of history as leaders worthy of honor. We need to learn
from them and follow their example.
Moses needed courage to shout, “Stand
still, and see the salvation of the Lord,” on the bank of the Red Sea. David
needed courage to stand against the giant. Daniel needed courage to spend an
evening in the den of hungry lions. Zerubbabel needed
courage to run a construction project in the midst of such adversity. John the
Baptist needed courage to stand against the intimidation of King Herod. The
apostle Paul needed courage to get up after being stoned and left for dead and
re-enter the city and preach again the same gospel. And you and I will need
courage if we are to let our light shine out in this very dark world.
Taking Courage
Haggai 2:4
INTRODUCTION
The historic
flow of the Old Testament
1,681 years (4000-2319)
2. 352 years (2319-1967)
3. 505 years (1967-1462)
4. 397 years (1462-1065)
5. 344 years (1065-721)
6. 135 years (721-586)
7. 66 years (586-520)
INSTRUCTION
I. Courage is
conceptualized
II. Courage is
complex
III. Courage is
conclusive