SOUNDING OUT:
Courage

  When I was in high school I read John F. Kennedy's book Profiles in Courage. I can remember reflecting on those records and being moved by the bravery of those individuals. Today I can hardly think about courage without reflecting upon God's exhortation to Joshua. Repeatedly in chapter one God commands him "to be strong and of a good courage." The longer I live the more profoundly I appreciate courage. After 9/11 many of us were brought to tears by the heroism of the firefighters and policemen. Of course, our armed forces, who continue to serve and protect now deserve our greatest thanks.

  Our need for courage is no different from Joshua's. We may not be facing leading millions of people into the Promised Land, but the challenges we face on a day to day basis still require courage. Our challenge is still "to obey God rather than man." Doing what God asks does not happen without opposition. Our adversary typically tries to thwart God's efforts in our lives. He loves throwing up smoke screens to confuse and deter us. He appeals to egos and tempts us. He lures us with pleasures and confronts us with pressures. They are all designed with one ultimate purpose ? to keep us from obeying God.

  Charles Swindoll said of courage:

  It has several names: bravery, valor, fearlessness, audacity, chivalry, heroism, and nerve ? and a few nicknames: guts, grit, gristle, backbone, pluck, and spunk, but whatever the name. It's more than a match for FEAR. The heights of the Himalayas only encourage it. The depths of the Caribbean merely excite it. The difficulty of a job motivates it. The demands of competition inspire it. Criticism challenges it? adventure arouse it? danger incites it? threats quicken it.

  It is just another word for inner strength, presence of mind against odds, determination to hang in there, to venture, persevere, and withstand hardship. It's got keeping power. It's what makes the amputee reject pity and continue to take life by the throat. It's what prompts married couples having trouble never to say, "Let's terminate." It's what enables the young mother with preschoolers to press on in spite of a personal energy crisis. It's what prods us to speak about Christ when we'd rather stay silent.

  We find tests of courage everyday when we encounter people we know who need to hear what the Word of God has to say. How do we react to the tests? Only we decide whether we speak up or wimp out.

  We cannot afford to be indifferent. Sure we have our need met? we know the gospel of the grace of God? we have our families to take care of. To often we relegate that responsibility to the preacher or the TV evangelist, or anyone who talks better than I do or knows more than I know. Don't be afraid. God will work in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13).

  God's exhortation to the apostles in prison in Acts 5:20 was:

  Their response was to do as they were told. They obeyed God rather than men (Acts 5:29). If you want to get out of any personal prison you are in I know of no better advice: Go, stand and speak all the words of this life. Don't be afraid to share your faith. God has done great things for you tell somebody about it.