Lion-Hearted Virtue
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
Acts 4:13 (NIV)
Amy Carmichael (1867-1951) was an Irish missionary who served in India for 55 years. She established an orphanage known as the Dohnavur Fellowship, which is still active today. For the last 20 years of her life, she was confined to a bed after a fall. During that time she wrote over 30 books, including “If“, based on 1 Corinthians 13.
Jim Elliot (1927-1956) was an American missionary who was killed taking the Good News to the Huaorani tribe in Ecuador, South America. He is known for his famous quote, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose“.
In the context of today’s verses Peter and John were in a bad situation. They were standing before the religious authorities who had arrested them and put them in jail. They knew that their lives were in danger.
“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.“ (1 Corinthians 16:13 NLT)
The courage of the apostles surprised those who had imprisoned them. As the authorities sought to understand how they could be so courageous, it was decided that it was because of the association they had with Jesus.
These stories of the courageous missionaries and apostles reminds us that those who follow Jesus will not escape the trials of life. But the good news is, that when the difficult times come, courage is given by Jesus to his followers. We may be ordinary people, but we serve an extraordinary God.
It’s tremendously encouraging to know that the Lord will provide us with the needed resources to face any trial in life. The promise of Scripture is: “As your day, so shall your strength be.” (Deuteronomy 33:25).
Let’s take this promise to the Lord today and ask Him to strengthen us as He promised. He won’t fail us in our time of need. We can also be courageous to face our enemy whatever, whoever it is.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 NIV)
“Care not for what the world says or thinks: you will not be with the world always. Can man save your soul? No. Will man be your judge in the great and dreadful day of account? No. Can man give you a good conscience in life, a good hope in death, a good answer in the morning of resurrection? No! no! no! Man can do nothing of the sort. Then ”fear not the reproach of men, neither be afraid of their revilings: for the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool” (Isaiah. 51:7,8). J.C. Ryle