Courageous Faith

   The Bible is replete with stories of incredible faith.  If we look at the faith exhibited by many of those persons we see a level of courage and confidence that should inspire us to be more courageous in our faith.

   Abraham had the faith to leave all he knew for God.  He left his home, his people and everything known to him to follow God to the promised land.  (Gen, chapter 12)  He later displayed the faith to obey God even to killing his only son out of faith that no evil could come from obeying God.  (Gen, chapter 22)

   Moses found the courage to stand before Pharaoh and demand the release of the Israelites.  He then had the faith to lead them through the Red Sea and the desert until he brought them to their promised land. (Exodus chapters 3 & 4)

   Meshach, Shadrach and Abednego had the courage to go into the fiery furnace rather than worship the golden statue of King Nebuchadnezzar.  (see Daniel 3: 19-24)

   The same courage is shown throughout the New Testament.  The Apostles were warned by the Sanhedrin to never preach of Jesus again.  When brought to trial for disobeying that order they replied., “We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5: 29).

   Stephen was the first martyr but many would follow.  All of the Apostles except John died a martyr’s death.  From the time of Jesus continuing though today there are those being martyred for their faith.  They accept death rather than deny their Lord.

   All of these acts of courage should speak to us of how strong our faith should be and the courage we should take from it.  Yet many will not stand up for their faith.  They allow their faith to be pushed aside by those who find it inconvenient.  Faith is almost always inconvenient to those who don’t have it.  I think it makes them realize they are missing something they need.  

   St. Paul said, “For Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  For the foolishness of God is wiser that human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” (1 Cor 1: 22-25)

   If we truly believe and have faith that Jesus is Lord then we need to courageously stand for that faith.  If we be fools for our faith in God then let us at least be courageous fools and be strong in the faith that saves us.