No Fear? Really?

Joshua 1:1-9

So much in life can make us nervous or hesitant. There are many, many times when we would rather curl up in bed than to grasp the opportunities that lie in front of us. God seems to address this reality in his words to Joshua. “I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). Franklin D. Roosevelt’s words, “We have nothing to fear but fear itself,” come to my mind often, but there is a key difference between FDR’s admonition and the words of God to Joshua. They lie in the first phrase where God says, “I hereby command you…” God was speaking to people on the brink of invading the promised land, facing what to them must have seemed an uncertain future. And God commanded them to have no fear, to proceed with courage and strength. How is such a command possible?

On a family vacation during my childhood we visited a theme park with the motto “We Make People Happy.” As we passed the turnstiles we were directed through an archway on which these words were written, and I remember my father’s reaction to this bold claim. “How can you force anyone to have a good time?” he asked with a bit of a chuckle. Being compelled to enjoy ourselves is one thing. But as the people of Israel faced the conquest of the promised land the archway they might have passed though would have been inscribed, “I make people strong and courageous with no fear or dismay.” How is this possible?

The answer lies in this: “For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” The crossing of the Jordan was not something Israel did on its own. The Lord their God was with them throughout. Our lives are lived in isolation. The Lord is with us regardless of what circumstances we face. The people of Israel could accomplish great things but only as they were directed by God. We can do all things, too, through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). We can rise above our fear and our lack of strength because God stands with us. We can remain undaunted in our living because our hope is in Jesus Christ and not in our own abilities.

No matter what happens today, no matter what events come to pass or demand our attention, we have been freed by God’s presence to live in confidence strength. God makes it so.

Prayer: Lord, we trust in your word this day as we lay claim to your promise to strengthen us and guide us. Bless us in our efforts for it is in Jesus’ name that we pray. Amen.

Danger, danger!

Proverbs 27:1-6, 10-12

To be honest I’m not at all sure what to do with this verse from Proverbs: “The clever see danger and hide; but the simple go on, and suffer for it” (Proverbs 27:12). Are we to understand that godly, devout people who happen to be intelligent are encouraged to duck and cover when the going gets tough? Is that really what is going on here? Or is there another way to read this?

In his Interpretation series commentary on Proverbs Leo G. Perdue offers only a bit of insight. “Verse 12 is an antithetical saying,” he writes, “that contrasts the clever who see danger and hide with the simpleton who does not and thus suffers for it” (p. 227). With all apologies to Dr. Perdue that really doesn’t help much. Jesus was, by all accounts, extremely bright and yet according to the gospels he was willing to face his own death and “go on, and suffer for it.” Likewise countless people of faith from over the centuries have willingly confronted danger in the name of God and for the sake of justice and righteousness. In our own age we are reminded of people of great courage like Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Martin Luther King, Jr. who, in faith, faced trials and tribulations for the glory of God.

Now, I’ll readily agree that we “shouldn’t go courting trouble.” But perhaps one aspect of God’s grace is that it allows us to live a “simple” life of faith, one that allows us to face danger, even to suffer and die, in order to help others and to give glory to God. If that is what Proverbs 27:12 is all about then may God give me the simplicity to “go on, and suffer for it,” because I really don’t think that people of faith are supposed to run for cover during times of challenge.

Prayer: Lord God, give us the courage to live as your people no matter what the circumstances may be. In the name of the one who accepted his death for the sake of the world. Amen.

NOTE: Beginning on February 25, I will be including blog posts each Saturday written by "guest bloggers" who will offer their insights on the readings for that particular day. I deeply appreciate the willingness of these folks to share their time and talents with us. Be sure to stop by on upcoming Saturdays to see what they have to say.

A Total Lack of Courage

Mark 14:66-72

Peter had sworn that he would never deny Jesus, no matter what. But according to our reading from Mark this morning that’s exactly what Peter did. Bless Peter’s heart, though. The first two times he denied knowing Jesus were not to a person of power or authority, but to a servant girl (Mark 14:67-69). Apparently all of Peter’s courage was gone as was his promise to remain loyal to Jesus.

I’m not making light of Peter’s actions. I can’t honestly say I would have done any better—I don’t know because by God’s grace I’ve never been in that situation. And that’s the warning I take from this account. Words are easy, promises are cheap, but actions are sometimes very difficult. On the other hand, Jesus seems to have known Peter better than Peter knew himself because Jesus had predicted the denial. And ironically there is the good news that all of us need to hear: Jesus knows each of us better than we know ourselves and yet Jesus is willing to die for us, just as he was willing to die for Peter. The disciple may have lacked courage, but the teacher did not, and in the end God’s grace was made clear in the resurrection.

Spiritually we may each be lacking, but God’s love is powerful enough to call us, to claim us, to heal us, to hold us, to save us, and to send us. This we know because Jesus died for Peter…and for you and me.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us when our courage fails or when we do not live up to our promises. In Jesus’ name. Amen.