Webster defines courage as the ability to do something that you know is difficult or dangerous. We never know when we are going to be called upon to draw deep within ourselves and muster courage to do the right thing. Courage to speak. Courage to right a wrong. Many need courage just to go to their workplace. A day full of situations with unknown outcomes. Life and death situations that need a voice. We may be required to speak up to defend someone, to stand in the gap for the helpless. We may have to do that in the face of anger. In parts of the world right now, standing up for Jesus will end in death.
This day in which we live requires courage. If we read or listen to the daily news, it seems we are living through a full blown horror movie. A bad dream. I often think, that as a youngster, I could not possibly have imagined the things that are happening in our world today. That they would be acceptable to a civilized society. But, they happen without so much as a gasp or protest. There is plenty of protesting going on, but it often seems misplaced. What should bring the voice of outrage goes unnoticed.
The only way I have learned to handle what I see happening in this world is to stay in scripture daily. It seems that no matter what situation arrives at our doorstep on any given day, there is an abundance of scripture that fits the situation.
Jesus walked among plotters of evil. Most of whom were the “religious’ folks in town. Odd isn’t it? That the holy folks were the most critical of His teachings. The One who did nothing but speak about God. Yet it was the godly scholars of the law who put forth the most criticism. He was not deterred, He spoke up. He defended the helpless, those who society determined were worthless scoundrels. He called out evil when it was before Him. That did not make Him welcome in town, much less the Temple. His courage came from the One who sent Him. The same place our courage comes from.
Jewish leaders and even His own brothers ridiculed Him. He began to stay out of Judea where the leaders were plotting his death ( John 7:1). The disciples thought He should return to Judea while the festival was going on. Bring forth some miracles. Let the people see what He was able to do. How could He become a public figure if He was hiding? Prove to the world what you can do. (John 7:4).
Jesus had a simple reply. You go on ahead. Now is not the time for me to go. He explained they could go anytime they chose, the world did not hate them, but it did hate Him because he spoke up and accused of sin and evil. His time had not come. (John 7:6-8)
Wonder what this band of followers were thinking when they set out for Judea? Wonder if they thought this Jesus was lacking in bravery, courage to show his power before the people and more importantly the frequent recipients of His accusations of sin and evil…The Pharisees. Isn’t it easier to stand back and let someone else speak up, be the voice? Stay behind them lest we become the focus of anger. They would exhibit less than stellar bravery themselves, on that day. Little did they know that Jesus had plans of His own. After they left, He went to Judea. He went secretly, staying out of the public view (John 7:10).
The “leaders” asked about Him. Has anyone seen him? Some were saying he was a wonderful man. Others said he was a fraud and deceiving the people. And then came this…But no one had the courage to speak favorably about him in public, for they were afraid of getting in trouble with the Jewish leaders (John 7:13). That tells me those who knew Him best, His disciples, fellow believers, stayed silent.
No one to speak up. Sound familiar? It is often easier to slink back and be still, rather than voice our opinion or speak up for our religious or political beliefs. That is how we have gotten to this point in our history. We still see sin and evil daily, just as Jesus saw in His day. Where are the voices? There are some. But shouldn’t there be millions?
Jesus did speak up that day for the God who sent Him. He went to the Temple where the hatred lay smoldering and spoke up. We as His followers should be doing no less. We should speak up about our faith, call evil what it is and stand for something.
~Scriptures for Today~
John 7:13
13 But no one had the courage to speak favorably about him in public, for they were afraid of getting in trouble with the Jewish leaders. (NLV)
Matthew 10:32
32 Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. (NASB)
~Prayer For Today~
Hello Father! We pray for courage today. Courage to speak, to defend, to fight for what we believe in. We ask for wisdom to know when to speak and what to say. We pray for all those who wait for us to stand in the gap for them. We pray that they don’t have to wait long. Forgive us for our silence. In Jesus’ name. Amen.