The Courage to be Faithful
“When we came...we were troubled on every side.
Outside were conflicts, inside were fears.” 2 Corinthians 7:5
Many start down the road of service but only the faithful continue when the road gets hard. The test of faithfulness is our courageous response to adversity.
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.” Winston Churchill
The character to continue doing what is right in the face of adversity and hardships is at the heart of faithfulness.
The apostle Paul spoke of the inevitable reality of opposition whenever we set out to do the will of the Lord. “For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries” 1 Corinthians 16:9. Someone else said it this way, “The door of opportunity swings upon the hinges of opposition.” That’s why it takes courage to continue.
The fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence declared the depth of their commitment to the cause of freedom when they said, “And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.” They faced unbelievable hardships as a result of this pledge but not one of them defected or went back on his word. All were faithful in fulfilling their pledge. And their faithfulness and courage secured our freedom as a nation.
O God, give us such men today!
When Nazi airstrikes were bringing great destruction in the Battle of Britain Winston Churchill said: “Never give in. Never give in. Never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.” And the people of Great Britain did not give in.
Where would we be today without the brave men and women who stood against Hitler?
We as believers are warriors in an even more important battle. There is much at stake. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Take up the full armor of God that you may be able to stand in the evil day” Ephesians 6:12, 13. With the strength the Lord gives us we are able to take our stand against evil, to stay at our post, to be FAITHFUL!
“We do not determine a man’s greatness by his talent or wealth, as the world does, but rather what it takes to discourage him.” Dr. Jerry Falwell
Perhaps you are in a state of discouragement. Life has gotten the best of you. But there is hope as long as you do not quit!
So, remember, “If God be for us who can be against us” and “we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us” Romans 8:31, 37. Find the strength you need in Christ. Do not waver and never, never, never give in!
Pastor Dan Barker