Have you noticed how your weekly shopping bill has almost doubled since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022? That your water, gas and electricity bills have soared? That the mortgage is a continuing struggle? Of course you have! It’s worrying. The news has its own plethora of worry, too: earthquakes, floods, fire, warfare, hunger, strikes, protests, and so on. Yahshua’s prophecy that people would be “fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world” (Luke 21:26) is being fulfilled before our eyes! Does it make you anxious?
There’s an interesting statement in Hebrews 3:6: “[Yahshua]…is in charge of [Yahweh’s] entire house. And we are [Yahweh’s] house, if we keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in [Messiah] (New Living Translation, italics added). Wait a moment! That’s a pretty big ‘if’! Is the writer saying only those who have courage can be a part of Yahweh’s household? It certainly sounds like it. So, do you have courage? Do I? What exactly is courage?
I’ve had to learn courage isn’t the absence of fear. It’s not about being fearless or intrepid or full of confidence. It actually describes facing up to and going through any situation which makes me afraid. Even people shaking with nervous anxiety can be courageous! Courage is about far more than fear. Webster’s Dictionary defines it as “Mental or moral strength to venture, persevere and withstand danger, fear or difficulty.”
However, all of us have some fears, for there are myriads of them, and different ones affect different people. We’re affected by different ones at different times of our lives, and when confronting difficult circumstances. Facing up to them takes courage, and courage is a hallmark of Yahweh’s household. Even so, Yahshua regularly said, “Do not be afraid…” (or something similar) to His disciples.
Spiritual courage is determining to do what Yahweh requires, despite personal reticence or nervousness. It takes courage to follow Yahshua, living and walking in righteousness and discipleship. Facing our fears, persevering through difficulty, living as He would, trusting Him no matter what life throws at us, requires courage. But there’s unwavering support. “Take courage!” said Yahshua. “It is I. Don’t be afraid” (Matthew 14:27).
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The Test Of LoveWe look at our lives through a spiritual lens now, as we see how our actions as husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, friends and coaches, workers and employers relate to [Yahweh's] will.
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