Courage #1 — Peaceful Courage

Never be anxious; but in everything, by prayer and by supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which is more valuable than anything you can imagine, shall keep your hearts and your minds from escaping Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Compliance with Winston Churchill’s nine word commencement address, “Never give up! Never give up! Never give up!” is possible by the grace of God, as he answers prayer in the face of every adversity. Since Jesus’ return date is unknowable, we should demonstrate forbearance, Paul warns. But the impingement of the physical world, with all its seemingly powerful forces arrayed against God’s people, makes this difficult. The “worries and riches and pleasures of life” are weeds choking the growth of the Word in our souls. We are drawn away from the promise of eternal life into the anxiety of temporal existence, the fear of misplaced confidence. The courage to hold fast to Christ, and the grace we will experience when he arrives, comes from the peace we experience now as we contemplate answered prayer. When we humble ourselves in prayer, recognizing God’s superiority, and when we present the specifics of our requests with gratitude which anticipates grace, God answers. He calms our fears and overpowers any ideas we might have had of forsaking Jesus.

Almighty God, the world speaks death to me every day. Search my heart and know my anxious thoughts. Show me the truth about your wisdom and power, so I will hold fast the word of life until Jesus returns. Amen.