Courage in Christ

On a cold early spring day, April 19th, a relatively small band of poorly outfitted militiamen stood behind their worn muskets, facing nearly 1000 well-armed, well-trained Red Coats.  This moment in 1775 would mark the beginning of a war revolutionary for its struggle for freedom from the imposed tyranny taxation without representation and over personal human rights so refused by a detached aristocracy.  Even though the scraggly militia was nearly untrained and badly armed, they stood strong with courage.

The militia men were victorious with their worn muskets and ample courage.  But their victory fades in comparison with the victory we have have through Christ.  This victory is perfect and eternal.  We have merely to come to Christ in faith to draw from His courage stores in order that we may be perfectly courageous in any circumstance.

The biblical model of courage relies on the Lord alone as our source.  For instance, the book of Psalms says that we are to be strong and take heart when we are afraid and to place our strength in the Lord (Psa. 27:1, 31:24, 56:3-4). It is then clear that a christian's courage is derived, not in and of something from within ourselves, but is to be taken from the infinite and eternal well which is our Holy Lord.

Paul in his letter to the Ephesians reminds us that we are like the militiamen at Concord and Lexington facing down our enemy.  But unlike the poorly armed and poorly trained militiamen, we have perfectly formed armor and weapons to fight a battle which is not of the flesh but is if the Spirit.  Therefore, our courage is made sure and secure by Jesus who through the power of the Holy Spirit indwelling in our hearts arms us for every ploy of the evil one.  Let us then draw closer to Him so as to be equipped and courageous for any attack through faith in Christ Jesus!