Timidity — Courage
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"Now we must fight if we would reign;
Increase our courage, Lord!
We'll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Your word.
Must we be carried to the skies
On flowery beds of ease;
While others fought to win the prize,
And swam through bloody seas?"
"The wicked flee when no man pursues; but the righteous are as bold as a lion." Proverbs 28:1.
"Only be strong, and very courageous." Joshua 1:7.
The Scriptures abound with instances of great moral courage. We have a memorable exhibition of this spirit in the case of Daniel. He was one who courted not the smiles, and who feared not the frowns of men. When he knew that the decree was signed, with a serenity and undauntedness of soul befitting a saint of the Most High God — he went to his prayer chamber as usual. In the prospect of a terrific death, his purpose continued unchanged; he did not attempt to conceal his devotions; he did not endeavour to resist or elude his enemies. A den of roaring lions could not dampen his courage, nor cause him to swerve from the path of rectitude!
Think again of his three young Hebrew companions. When the impious and haughty monarch told them that if they did not worship the image which he had set up — they should be cast into a burning fiery furnace; what was their reply? "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up!"
Think of Paul, singing with his companion the high praises of God at midnight, in his gloomy dungeon, not knowing but that his life might be demanded the very next day. Think of Luther in after ages. When summoned to appear before the authorities, where it was likely that he would be exposed to the greatest danger, and when besought with the most urgent importunity by his friends to refrain from going, his well known language was, "I am called in the name of God to go — and go I would though there were as many devils in the place, as there are tiles upon the houses!" Think of the noble army of martyrs; see them standing undismayed, while the flames were kindling around them. Hear one of their number, a helpless female, exclaiming, "I cannot dispute for Christ; but I can die for Him!" — and into the flames she rushed! Here was courage of the noblest and sublimest kind — courage compared with which that of the warrior at the cannon's mouth deserves not to be mentioned for a moment.
We are not called upon, through gracious Providence, to give our bodies to be burned; to seal our testimony with our blood is an ordeal through which we, in this land of liberty, are not likely to pass. But it is still true that all who will live godly in Christ Jesus, must suffer persecution. The offence of the cross has not yet ceased even among us! The gospel is same which it was at the beginning; and its professors ought to be as much separated from a world lying in wickedness, as were the early believers. But let them be thus separated — and misrepresentation and ridicule are likely to be their portion. To the persecution of physical violence, none in this country are exposed; but the persecution of reproach and invective is not unknown — a species of persecution that is more appalling to some minds than the former. To be scoffed and sneered at is a very trying thing to many.
Not a few, especially among the young, are kept from following Christ by the fear of man — that fear which brings a snare. But should it be so? Where is the courage and dignity of such conduct? Reader, should the wit of the profane, the jest of the railer — cause you to disown the Saviour, and make light of His salvation? "Who are you, that you should be afraid of a man that shall die, and forget the Lord your Maker?" What will the frowns of your companions be to you — at the judgment bar? Will not the approbation of the Judge, then, be an ample compensation for their displeasure now? Fear not the reproach of men, neither be afraid of their revilings. "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him!"
Let the Christian especially aspire after such a spirit. Let the declaration of Solomon, "that the righteous is as bold as a lion," be practically exemplified in the whole of his conduct. O, to be decided for God and for His cause! Let us fear Him — and let us fear none but Him. Let the approbation of men be a small thing with us; but let the approbation of God be a great thing — yes, everything in our estimation. With good old Baxter, let us learn to say:
"Careless, myself a dying man,
Of dying men's esteem;
Happy, if you, O God, approve,
Though all beside condemn."
And for the encouragement of His people, God has promised to be with them; and having Him on our side, we may well be unmoved, unterrified, of all that men or evil spirits can do unto us. This was the feeling of the Psalmist when he said, "The Lord is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life — of whom shall I be afraid?" Almost innumerable are the exhortations given to the believer to fear not. In all ages, and under all circumstances, God has bidden him to be of good courage.
O Lord, help me to trust You, and not be afraid. Say to my soul in the hour of distress, when perils may be surrounding me, when my enemies may be rising up against me, "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand!"
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