Bravery in times like these

The idea or virtue of bravery or courage is an innate one. It is one of the most prized virtues. Several important people have made interesting statements regarding courage such as Nelson Mandela “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear. Winston Churchill said “Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen”. We all, believers and non-believers, at one point or another in life were required to demonstrate some form of courage. But, as believers our courage is enhances by God’s Spirit and we are able to confront whatever situation at whatever the cost. The scriptures tells us that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of sound mind (2Tim1:17). In the transition from Moses’ leadership to Joshua with the great task of guiding God’s people to the promise land, he was told not to be afraid but to have courage (Jos1:9). We see an example of a manifestation of boldness via the Holy Spirit after the apostle’s were threatened by the Governor and the Jews (Acts4:31)

Judges 6:11-12

11 The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. 12 When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”

God’s people had departed from him and had engaged in idol worshipping. Baal and the pole of Asherah became the thing to worship. But, pressure from their sin and the enemy pushed the people to call on the Lord. So, God appeared to Gideon. He was no leader or powerful warrior, Gideon was actually the least of the least of his people. The apostle says this nice that God will lift up the weak to shame the wise (1Cor1:27). And, Gideon; this timid young man, a brave one was sent to deliver his people. Now, there some that think that Gideon was not a courageous person, but the scriptures tells us otherwise. God said to Gideon “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” (Jud6:14). Courage is not the absent of fear, but the achievement of a task despite of fear. When Gideon understood whom he was sharing with, he went and prepared a sacrifice of peace. He prepared a young goat and a loaf of unleavened bread (Jud6:19) for the sacrifice. This angel whom Gideon was sharing with was not a created being but was the Lord himself. Gideon, despite his fear he round up the army of about 32,000 men. He put God to the test to make sure that he was going to be with him.

In Gideon’s act of bravery he torn down the alter of Baal and the pole of Asherah and got all the elders and leaders of Israel to go against him. God’s plan was revealed to Gideon so that he would not fear, and he reduced the army size to three hundred men. And, he made sure that Gideon continued to be encouraged, so God sent him to the outpost of the city and listen. Gideon heard some men speak about a dream that included the loaf of bread Gideon had prepared for the Lord (Jud7:13-14). The victory that Gideon experienced after hearing the dream created in him a reason for worship.   

 

 

 

 

 

Verses

27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

14 The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”

19 Gideon went inside, prepared a young goat, and from an ephaha] of flour he made bread without yeast. Putting the meat in a basket and its broth in a pot, he brought them out and offered them to him under the oak.

13 Gideon arrived just as a man was telling a friend his dream. “I had a dream,” he was saying. “A round loaf of barley bread came tumbling into the Midianite camp. It struck the tent with such force that the tent overturned and collapsed.”14 His friend responded, “This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon son of Joash, the Israelite. God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands.”

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