Take Courage

Acts 23. 11 The following night the LORD stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” I remember when I had to give a speech in class when I was in junior high school. We came up to a weekend and they would be 10 minutes left in the class and I was next. The teacher said let’s pick up on Monday. I breathed a huge sigh of relief. I had the whole weekend. I was off the hook until Sunday night when I began to become nervous about the speech again. What a relief after it was over! The number one fear of Americans is speaking in public. For the apostle Paul it was more than just a public speech. His testimony that he was going to give in front of courts was a life and death matter. If he said the wrong words, if those passing judgment didn’t agree he could face the death penalty. More than that he had a desire to proclaim the Gospel. Ephesians 6.19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. It was during this time, at night, the LORD came and stood by him and spoke to him. This is the Word the LORD gave Paul in a very trying time: Take courage. We go through difficult times in our lives. Sometimes we are overwhelmed. Sometimes the LORD gives us more than we can handle. It is beyond our ability to bear. Grief can do that to us. In the loss of a loved one we can feel so out of it we wonder if we can go on. One of the reasons that David wrote that when he goes through the valley of the shadow of death he will not fear any evil. Dealing with the effects of the current worldwide crisis has put people in fear. It has changed our lives. It has disrupted plans. The economic effects are yet to be fully felt. Great Depression and suicidal thoughts are in the psyches of Americans today, even among pastors as our District Superintendent Dr. Sam Vassal shared a few weeks ago in Brentwood. We need courage today. The good news is that the LORD is here to give it to us. He is with us in all of life. At the points when we may be tempted to think I can do this on my own. I am OK. Those are the very moment where we need Him the most. We feel the need of Him when we’re going through a crisis but often when things are going well, that was the warning for Israel, when you get into the land it flows with milk and honey be careful not to forget the LORD your God brought you into this place. These are the times that try men’s souls. The message of Thomas Paine's pamphlet The Crisis was to remind Americans during the battle for Independence that real patriots hold onto their beliefs, even in hard times. Real Christians hold onto the LORD and their faith in Him in hard times. God is purifying His Church today. We are in the fires of testing. Stand firm. The LORD Stands Near His Servants in Their Times of Great Need. II Timothy 4.16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. 17 But the LORD stood at my side and gave me strength... Standing with us. To cause or make to stand. To make firm to establish To cause a person to keep his place To keep intact, uphold or sustain To stand near To keep safe and sound Interestingly the word used for standing in the 15th verse of II Timothy 4 simply means to come together or to come to one’s help. Human help is good. Help from the LORD is out of this world. Sometimes the sky looks dark With not a ray of light; We’re tossed and driven on no human help in sight but there is One in heaven Who knows our deepest care; Let Jesus solve your problem Just go to Him in prayer. Strength To be bold The LORD speaks Light and Life into Our Hearts in the Darkest of Times The power of one Word, the Word of God Take Courage Confidence Often the LORD just tells us He is with us. He doesn’t usually give the details of how He will work all things together for our good, how He will deliver us. Here is where our faith comes in. Daniel 3. 16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if He does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Overcoming faith. We are given this by the LORD. I John 5.4 For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. God Gives Us Courage Not Just To Be But To Do All seemed lost. How could the apostle work being a prisoner?! How? In many ways. Paul became a letter writer. Paul went on to testify before Caesar! Even the palace employees were touched! Philippians 1. 12 Now I want you to know, brothers that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers have become confident in the LORD and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. The LORD give us courage for the days ahead Joshua 1. 6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. 7 “Be strong and very courageous. Days of Challenge Israel was about to go in and possess the land. Joshua was leading them. For 40 years they wandered. This is their time. Days of Uncertainty They sent the spies in. They gave a bad report. They all died except for Joshua and Caleb. In fact that whole generation that came out of Egypt, except for these two died in the Desert. They were not sure what they were going to face only that God was with them. And we as we approach this Presidential Election, Thanksgiving and Christmas and 2021 face great uncertainty. We have the LORD. Days of Conquest God was with them. Romans 8.31 If God is for us who can be against us? Back to that Prison holding cell in Jerusalem that night. Paul took the Courage offered to him by Jesus that night in the prison. Take the courage God is offering you this morning. II Chronicles 20. 12 ...For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” I Chronicles 12.32 Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do. Don’t despair Don’t fret Don’t worry God is with us, standing beside us. Take courage. 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