A Need for Courage
We live in a time when Christians need courage more than ever. Around the world, people are suffering for their faith and risking their lives every day to worship God.
Even in America, religious freedom is under attack, people are blinded by moral relativism, and secular fundamentalists are constantly trying to obscure the truth of God. In American culture, fear is a big issue.
There are so many things that can make us feel afraid. Just look at the news for a few seconds and the incredible amount of fear-mongering becomes apparent. This issue of fear proves that today’s culture can’t survive without God and the Bible. Without these two truths, people begin to hate others for their beliefs while others grow fearful of what’s happening in the world. Unfortunately, this chaos is a direct result of God and the Bible being rejected by an increasing amount of people.
Modernity and Postmodernity
This rejection of God began during the time of Modernity, and its consequences can still be felt today.
Modernity focused greatly on the present, not on God’s plan for eternity. During the time of Modernity, mankind began to ignore God’s authority. Absolute truth was questioned. Control over the sinful world came in the form of work, force, and power. Ethics was based on relative truth.
Today, in the Postmodern world, not much has changed. There still exists a great amount of suspicion towards God and the Bible, along with the belief in Multiculturism, which is the idea that multiple religions can coexist. Postmodernity is also known for its uncertainty, cynicism, crudeness, time spent looking at screens, and, just like Modernity, moral relativism.
With all the evil in the world, how can Christians have courage and hope for the future?
What is Courage?
A definition of courage will help.
In his 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language, Noah Webster defined courage as, “Bravery; Intrepidity; that quality of mind which enables men to encounter danger and difficulties with firmness…”
Mark Twain put it this way, “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear-not absence of fear.”
Courage comes in two forms, physical courage, and moral courage. Physical courage is being strong even when harm could come to a person. Moral courage is standing up for what a person believes, no matter what. Sometimes, this requires physical courage.
Both forms of courage are evidence of personal faith and trust in God. Most importantly, courage helps us overcome fear.
A Biblical Example of Courage
The story of Joshua is a perfect example of courage and how he applied these ideas as he led the people of Israel in their conquest of Jericho.
Joshua 1:1-9 says, “After Moses the Lord’s servant died, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant: “Moses my servant is dead. Get ready! Cross the Jordan River. Lead these people into the land that I am ready to hand over to them. I am handing over to you every place you set foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert in the south to Lebanon in the north. It will extend all the way to the great River Euphrates in the east (including all Syria) and all the way to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. No one will be able to resist you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not abandon you or leave you alone. Be strong and brave! You must lead these people in the conquest of this land that I solemnly promised their ancestors I would hand over to them. Make sure you are very strong and brave! Carefully obey all the law my servant Moses charged you to keep. Do not swerve from it to the right or to the left, so that you may be successful in all you do. This law scroll must not leave your lips. You must memorize it day and night so you can carefully obey all that is written in it. Then you will prosper and be successful. I repeat, be strong and brave! Don’t be afraid and don’t panic, for I, the Lord your God, am with you in all you do.’”
That is a fairly large amount of text, but it’s key to understanding Joshua’s character in this narrative. God tells Joshua to be courageous several times in this passage, so Joshua got right to work. Being courageous wasn’t a suggestion, it was a command.
With his marching orders from God, Joshua set out to conquer Jericho. Despite the fear that he likely felt, Joshua led the Israelites to victory.
Joshua 6:20 states, “The rams’ horns sounded, and when the army heard the signal, they gave a loud battle cry. The wall collapsed, and the warriors charged straight ahead into the city and captured it.”
It’s because of Joshua’s courage that God’s chosen people conquered the promised land.
In part two I’ll discuss having courage despite troubles. I’ll also discuss what we can do along with the ultimate example of courage, Jesus.
Until part two,
“The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make His face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you.”
Dude. Preach it.