Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – April 7, 2017
Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take of the land, for we can certainly do it.” Numbers 13:30
Courage is risky because it can be misunderstood and even rejected. The majority may dismiss your courage as unreasonable. You will not always have the majority on your side in decision-making. This is a risk you may need to take. Just make sure it is the Lord leading you and not your stubborn pride. Fearful people sometimes reject courageous people because the pain of what ‘could’ happen outweighs their present pain.
What about the pain that will occur if you do nothing and disobey God? This consequence can be dreadfully painful. Yet many times this is overlooked, negative consequences occur, and blame is placed on you. Look at it this way, in either case — the courageous choice or the do nothing choice– you will be given credit or blame. So be guilty of the courageous choice and trust God with the outcome.
“David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you” (1Chronicles 28:20).
Courageous leaders have the faith and focus to see obstacles as opportunities. Yes, the obstacles will still be there, but over time will fade into oblivion. As the old farmer once said about a large dead tree trunk in his field… ‘You can dynamite it out and make a mess, or you can plow around it. If you plow around it over time it will decay and return to where it came from.’ This is true of obstacles. Focus on your God-given opportunities, ignore the obstacles, and eventually, the obstacles will decay for lack of attention.
Embrace and exploit your opportunities and you will not have time to be distracted by the obstacles. The majority may be enamored or paralyzed by the obstacles, but stay focused on the God-given goal and He will overcome. Yes, courage and faith are first cousins. You need both, but fear is an evil uncle trying to distract you. Be courageous. God only gives you one life to live. Live it faithfully and aggressively for His glory.
Remember to draw your courage from the courageous one, the Lord Jesus Christ. His courage in you will conquer far beyond your ability to persevere. His daily infusion of courage through the Holy Spirit will defeat Satan’s daily distractions of fear and blame. Courage moves forward, fear sits still. Courage is risky but ever so fulfilling.
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them” (Joshua 1:6).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, make me bold to proclaim the gospel, especially in the face of criticism, in Jesus’ name, amen.Application
Where is Christ leading me to be courageous?Related Reading
Joshua 10:25; Ezra 10:4; Mark 6:51; Acts 4:13Post/Tweet today
Courageous leaders have the faith and focus to see obstacles as opportunities. #WisdomHunters #courageWorship Resource
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Greating in the name of our lord nd saviour Jesus Christ
It’s a great blessing to me, this day is a new day of new things and great things indeed to have access to today’s devotional,I feel really blessed coz I now hv the opportunity to learn more through your inspiration. Thank u s much.this means a lot to m
Dear Boipelo,
Thank you so much for reaching out to us with your kind and encouraging words. We are grateful that you are blessed by the daily devotionals and we give all the glory to our heavenly Father!
We are thankful that you are a part of the Wisdom Hunter’s family and we look forward to hearing from you again.
Happy Easter! HE IS RISEN!!!
Gwynne
“Don’t be alarmed, he said.You are looking for Jesus of Nazarene, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell the disciples and Peter, He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him just as he told you.”
Mark 16:6-7