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| © 2008 Julie Crane All rights reserved. |
… your servant has found
courage to pray this prayer to you. (2 Samuel 7:27)
John
Wayne said courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway. And I guess
in some instances that could be correct. You can be afraid and yet still have
the willingness to move forward with it. Like public speaking for the first
time.
The
Bible has numerous places where it talks about being strong and courageous (Joshua 1:6 for example). And that may help when
you’re stepping up to the mic.
But
there’s another scenario. The one where you don’t want to move forward. You don’t
want to be courageous. Don’t want to go “there”. Don’t want to be told to be strong and courageous. You don’t care if God is with you. You don’t
see “footprints in the sand” - you see being forced, dragged, kicking and
screaming into an experience you don’t want to go!
And
yet … there is no way around it. There is no other way. And so, alas, what are
we to do?
“Lord, to whom shall we
go? You have the words of eternal life. (John
6:68)
Yes,
the Lord is with us in every kind of dire situation. But doesn’t He seem so far
away sometimes? How can He really understand the fear you are facing today,
right now?
“Father, if you are
willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from
heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat
was like drops of blood falling to the ground. (Luke 22:42-44)
Know
this right now. Jesus understands to a depth no one else can. He will be your
strength when it seems it has all been drained out of you. It is here and now
when spending time with the Lord is most valuable; holding the most promise for
strength, peace … and courage. It is time to be with Jesus. A time to pray.
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and
realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they
took note that these men had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13)
Yes.
Even ordinary folks like Peter and John. Like you and I. Granted courage.
Through Jesus.
Let
us pray …
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