Courage

by R. Darke, Vancouver, B.C. | Category: General | Aug 1967

To take one's stand on the Lord's side has always required courage. This is as true today as it has been in all dispensations. Moses learned that it was so when God wanted to send him to Egypt. The Lo~ told him to cast his shepherd's rod to the ground and it became a serpent, and Moses fled from it. Then God called on him to pick up the serpent by the tail. This took courage, but Moses obeyed and the serpent became a rod again in his hand. God was teaching Moses to face the enemy, and the man that faced Pharaoh ultimately, asking for the Israelites to be released from bondage, was a fearless man. He had the rod of authority in his hand and the LORD by his side, and his mission ended in victory.

His servants today have a like promise of the Lord's presence and help. The resurrected Lord Jesus said, "Go ye into all the world..." He has all authority, and He has promised, "Lo I am with you... " What greater assurance do we require? When we are confronted by the enemy let us stand our ground and emulate the courage shown by one of David's mighty men whose hand, though weary, clave unto his sword; "Resist the devil and he will flee from you". Whether we preach the public message, speak a personal word, or distribute a gospel leaflet, let us do it boldly, remembering His promise, "My word shall not return unto Me void".

Even in unusual places and circumstances a Christian may find opportunity to testify with boldness for the Lord, as the following incident shows. When on a visit to a museum a courageous Christian saw a wax effigy of Voltaire, the atheist, and the chair from which he wrote anti-Christian literature. The Christian stepped over the rope surrounding the figure, sat on the chair, and sang in a loud voice,

Jesus shall reign where'er the sun

Doth his successive journeys run;

His kingdom stretch from shore to shore,

Till moons shall wax and wane no more.

We have no cause to fear, for "God is stronger than our foes".

"Wait on the LORD: Be strong, and let thine heart take courage; Yea, wait thou on the LORD" (Psalm 27.14).

R. Darke, Vancouver, B.C. | Aug 1967
General