profiles in courage

Finishing out the Profiles In Courage series, we are looking at 1 Kings 18 and the encounter of Elijah with the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel.  This interaction is a glimpse into the faith of one of the Old Testament's most notable prophets.  Yet the Book of James reminds us "Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth." (James 5:17)  As much as we may think Elijah was a super-human believer, he really had a nature just like ours.  

Because of this, we can know that our faith in God to do the miraculous can and should be just like Elijah's.  The God who intervened on Elijah's behalf still moves on our behalf.  Elijah's faith didn't question the odds, he drew a line in the sand (trust God or not), and his obedience put God on display.  

An interesting profile in courage in the New Testament is John the Baptist.  John is not a character we see for too long.  But his mission is clear:  he is to prepare the way for the Messiah.  In so doing, he called people to a baptism of repentance...of readying one's heart.  He was bold in his approach; so much so that he offended the religious leaders of his day.  But he did not shy away from pointing out their hypocrisy.  The same opponents he faced would be the ones Jesus would face.  

Today's profile encourages us to be bold in Christ and to persevere, no matter the circumstances.  It can often be tempting to play it safe and not speak out for fear of opposition or rejection.  But John the Baptist feared none of these things and as a result, his ministry was blessed.  Let us be so bold as well today!

In this relaunch of a series introduced last year, we are looking this episode at Noah.  Noah may seem like this larger than life character in the Bible.  An ark, a flood, a rainbow, and a charge to repopulate and fill the Earth.  It is popular in some circles to dismiss some Old Testament Bible stories (like Noah) as mere mythological fantasies.  Stories that became tall tales, but didn't actually happen. 

But consider if Noah actually did happen and that his context wasn't so different than what we experience today.  A man righteous before God but living amongst wicked people.  A man obedient to God to build and ark and prepare...for what was next.  A man who was rewarded for his obedience by the Lord by being shut in the ark, just him and his family.  There's a lot we can learn from Noah as we live in a time that looks a lot like his day.  Wickedness and a growing apathy or even opposition to Godly things are all around us.  Noah is a bold man and another profile in courage worth our examination today.  

“Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”  Judges 6:15

The story of Gideon is a compelling one for anyone ever confronted with feeling inadequate or undeserving to follow God's call.  Gideon is an unlikely choice as a leader of God's people but God sees the potential in him before he sees it in himself.  Through the process, Gideon finds confirmation of God's call to lead Israel against the Midianites.  And in the end the battle is fought God's way; through His means and timing.  

There are many takeaways from this story...things that are important for all of us to remember as we step out in faith.  God sees the potential in us when He calls us.  He is faithful to lead us out of our fear and into boldness.  And He gives us the tools to use as He takes us through the battles we face.  Listen and be encouraged today as Derek and Corrie lead off this new series of "Profiles In Courage."

A true profile in courage, Esther is the story of a Jewish girl who became Queen over Persia and was God's instrument to save her people.  If you've read the story, you know the almost "Hollywood-like" sequence of events.  There's good vs. evil in the narrative of Mordecai and Haman.   There's the unlikely rise to queen by Hadassah; who becomes Esther.  And there's God's providence through it all...knowing there was a plan in place and He used simple, obedient people to usher it in.  

What about us?  Do we read a story like Esther and then close the book and walk away leaving unchanged?  That same God who used Esther uses people like you and I today.  He is still looking for those who will take stand and rise up "for such a time as this."  This last profile in this series is critical:  will we acknowledge the weight of the times we live in AND will we be obedient to what God is asking us to do?  

As the first martyr of the early church, we see a unique boldness in the character of Stephen.  He is a man full of the Holy Spirit.  He has a wisdom that cannot be argued with since he speaks the truth about Jesus.  Still, he came up against an authority that did not like what he was saying -- true or not.  The Jewish leaders brought him up on false charges, held a sham trial, and hauled him out to execute him by stoning.  

We don't like to think much about persecution but it has become a reality for many in our world...and it's only growing across many places.  In the United States, we realize that our freedoms to worship and preach the Gospel may not always be guaranteed.  Are we prepared to stand up and speak out even if it is unpopular with the ruling authorities?  We must make that decision now, long before we are ever in a place where our lives could be asked of us.  

Another profile that is worth consideration is Joseph.  Perhaps the path of Joseph's life would not have been the one he would pick if given the choice.  Most of us would rather not endure the suffering that Joseph went through.  Sold into slavery as a young man and abandoned by his brothers, Joseph started at the lowest place possible.  Still, God's favor was upon him and he was given the opportunity to advance.  When we pick up the story of Joseph in this episode, he is being summoned by Pharaoh to interpret a dream.  

Joseph's whole life changes because of this one moment.  He was patient to wait for this opportunity and he did not take any of the glory/credit for himself.  He pointed to the Lord as the one Who interprets dreams and provides the knowledge and understanding needed.  We learn from Joseph the importance of waiting on God's timing and abiding in Him, despite the unknowns we face. As we do, we experience the same type of blessings that Joseph had.  We see God as the source of our strength and hope while we walk through hidden years.  

We are starting a 4 week podcast series on PROFILES IN COURAGE; Bible characters that we can draw strength from as we examine how they lived in a moment of time that challenged their faith.  The opposition we face in this world:  trials, tests, and persecution...none of them are new.  The tried and true stories of the Bible (David and Goliath, Daniel in the lion's den, Noah and the flood, and others) all show us how to conduct ourselves in the midst of a world or culture opposed to the things of God. 

This week we take a look at David and his encounter with the giant Goliath.  Even though we have heard this story perhaps dozens of times, it is always good to go back and remind ourselves again.  David was confident in his God.  He stood up against the odds even when the rest of his countrymen did not because of fear.  He fought for the sake of the name of his God.  We must stand up today and be bold as well...Christ and the Holy Spirit lead us into boldness.  It is always worth it!