God blessed David because he was a hero of the faith. My friend, Charles Siburt, says that the truest synonym for faith is courage. Courage is faith in action. At the beginning of the book of Joshua, for example, both God and the people of God encourage Joshua: “Be strong and courageous!” Don’t just be faithful, Joshua; courageously put your faith to work.
Ministry at Westview requires us to launch out courageously every day. We risk vulnerability. We risk looking like fools. We risk loving without receiving even a sign that our love is reciprocated. We risk safety for our children in order to provide safety to children who have know so little safety in their lives. We send the friends we love out to risk their hearts one more time in order to try to offer rescue to one more child who so desperately it. I’d say that it takes courage to be a part of this team.
On those days when I particularly need to feel courageous, on those days when I particularly feel that God is calling me and empowering me to be courageous, I love to read one particular psalm. Sometimes I even read the words out loud to feel their amazing power:
You who live in the shelter of the Most High,
who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress;
my God, in whom I trust."
For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence;
he will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
You will not fear the terror of the night,
or the arrow that flies by day,
or the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
or the destruction that wastes at noonday.
A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
You will only look with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
Because you have made the Lord your refuge,
the Most High your dwelling place,
no evil shall befall you,
no scourge come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.
You will tread on the lion and the adder,
the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot.
Those who love me, I will deliver;
I will protect those who know my name.
When they call to me, I will answer them;
I will be with them in trouble,
I will rescue them and honor them.
With long life I will satisfy them,
and show them my salvation.
Psalm 91 - NRSV
Be strong and courageous.
Ron
