I have been writing a daily devotion of encouragement on and off since the early 1990’s. I email, post on TerrysDevotions.com, and on Facebook each day. I can tell by the number of readers and the number of times a devotion is shared just what is resonating with people. Lately, that has been encouragements about being strong and courageous.
Fear is abounding. Fear of sickness or death from a virus. Fear of unemployment and the inability to feed or care for our families. Fear of losing businesses worked so hard to establish. Fear that our children’s futures will be diminished by schools closing and sports or other activities abandoned. The media drives fear home every day.
As Christians, we are not supposed to succumb to fear, but I would be extremely foolish if I said that was easy. It is not. However, just because being fearless is not easy makes it even more worthwhile.
Acts 21-23 tells the story of Paul’s return to Jerusalem after a missionary journey. He was arrested in the temple on false charges and had to be rescued by a Roman commander. When Paul tried to explain by giving his testimony, a riot ensued. The Roman arrested Paul and ordered him beaten (until he found out Paul was a Roman citizen). Paul was brought before the Sanhedrin to also testify, but another uproar broke out and the Roman commander once again had to remove Paul. The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” [23:11]
Eventually Paul did testify in Rome, after testifying before Felix the Governor, Festus his successor, King Agrippa and Bernice, and after surviving a shipwreck. Paul’s testimony eventually resounded through Caesar’s court and changed the world. But it was not easy. And it took much courage.
Paul understood one thing, however, one thing that we too must understand. God had already commissioned Paul’s testimony in Rome. Nothing was going to hinder or stop that, not governors or kings or shipwrecks. Paul’s courage was based on God’s Word to Him.
Our courage must also be based on God’s Word to us – not something we stir up in our own strength. God’s Word to our generation is as clear as it was to Paul — “Go into all the world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” [Matt 28:18-20]
Be strong, beloved, and courageous – surely He is with us always, even to the very end of this age.
