Have you ever begun studying your Bible with a particular topic in mind, looked up a verse and then another related verse and ultimately ended up in a totally different place from where you intended to go with your study? We might read a passage we've read many times over; but suddenly it strikes our consciousness anew. We look at this familiar passage with a fresh perspective and we are able to apply it to our lives in a totally different way than we ever have before.
A few nights ago, I began to read and study with one thing in mind and stumbled on a verse that gave me pause. It was like it hit me right between the eyes! It helped me realize again how "ordinary, every day people" can become people of great courage when they are faithful to God and allow His Spirit to work in them.
I mentioned this verse on face book the other night, but I feel it is worthy enough to mention again.
Hebrews 11:23 reads: "By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict." When I read this, it was as if I were seeing it for the first time. There are so many examples of courage and bravery in the Bible. We read about Daniel, and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. We can read through 1 Kings and hear about the many valiant soldiers in David's army, his mighty men. We think of the apostles as they preached boldly in the name of Christ.
And here in this one short verse, we are shown the faith of Moses' parents, Amram and Jochebed. They kept Moses alive because they saw he was beautiful and because they were not afraid of being caught defying the king of Egypt. Surely, this was a serious offense. I've no doubt the punishment would have been severe.
Yet they knew God gave Moses to them. They understood God to be the giver of life and they were not about to take their own son's life. They refused to kill their male child. Amram and Jochebed had great faith in God to protect them and their children. They believed without a doubt that God would take care of them in some way ... so they were not afraid of the king.
The Bible stories of courage always inspire and encourage me. I know that verse has always been there. I knew Moses' parents hid him. I knew they must have had a great love for their child. I suppose I'm admitting my own ignorance here; but it just never clicked with me until tonight. Moses' mother and father were not afraid of the king. They knew God would work it out.
The Father has often encouraged His children to have courage. Think of Joshua as he became the leader of the Hebrew people. In Joshua 1: 1-9, God tells Joshua to "be strong and very courageous" three different times. I'm sure Joshua needed this encouragement for the daunting task of leading his people to victory in conquering the Promised Land.
King David told his son Solomon to be strong and of good courage in I Chronicles 22:13 when he was committing unto Solomon the building of the temple. This charge also came with command to walk in the ways of Moses and follow all his commands. And in II Chronicles 32: 7-8, King Hezekiah exhorts his army, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us that with him. With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us to fight our battles."
Hezekiah's words did indeed encourage his army. I love his explanation of why they shouldn't be afraid. "With us it the Lord our God, to help us to fight our battles." How great is that? It reminds me of Paul's words in Romans 8:31, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" Who indeed? God needs us in His army.
When we think of bravery in the face of danger, we most certainly cannot forget Daniel, who was thrown into a lion's den for praying to God. He faced this punishment with great courage and faith in the one true God. Daniel was about 80 by the time he faced this trial. No doubt he remembered his 3 friends who refused to bow before the golden idol the king had set up.
Hannaniah, Mishael, and Azariah (better known as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego) faced Nebuchadnezzar bravely and told him that God was fully able to deliver them out of the fiery furnace. They went on to save that even if God did not deliver them from the furnace --- they still would not bow before the king's idol. (Daniel 3) This sounds like Amram and Jochebed doesn't it? They were not afraid of what the king would do to them either.
What about Esther? She was an ordinary young Jewish maiden, albeit a beautiful one. When she was called upon to save her people from a great massacre, what did she do? She said, "I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish." (Esther 4:17)
Many characters throughout the pages of the Bible showed great courage in the face of danger. Because of their faithfulness, God blessed them and rewarded them. It is wonderful to read the stories of those whom God saved. However, we know that the Father didn't save everyone. Some died for them. He still rewarded them; for He took them home to be with Him.
Stephen bravely preached the word of God even while he was being stoned. Only God could give someone that kind of strength. John the Baptist boldly preached against the scribes and Pharisees. He also preached against King Herod's message and it ultimately cost him his life. Yet, John was commended by Christ Himself.
Paul often prayed for strength and power for his fellow Christians. He wanted them to be strong in the Lord. Consider Colossians 1:10-12: "May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light." We have God's power and His might on our side. We have nothing to fear.
So often we don't speak up for what's right. We are afraid we might be laughed at or shunned. At work when someone starts to gossip or tell an inappropriate joke do we have the strength to walk away. Inviting someone to church services takes courage, too. We must step up to the plate. We must remember that satan is the one who plants the doubt and fear within us.
We need to find enough courage to teach our children what living for Christ is all about. It might not always be about making the most popular decisions. It may take some inner strength to speak honestly and openly with our children about the dangers of the world. Their souls are at stake. Admit your youthful mistakes and help them learn from them.
We can stand up against the wrongs we see. We can talk about Jesus who saved us and made us whole. It may be very difficult; but it is not impossible. God will help us if we are not afraid. He will give us the inner fortitude to withstand whatever we face ... if we only have faith in Him. We must trust him with every fiber of our being. This is not always easy, I know. It is something I must work on too.
We may realize that bad things will come our way from time to time. We understand that following Christ is not always easy. The world is tough and satan is strong. But Jesus gives us reason to rejoice and to prevail. Our faith will not be in vain. Listen to His words to the apostles shortly before His trial and crucifixion.
"Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
I think we're on the right team, don't you? Be brave!
Christ above all things,
Robin
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