The Lodestar

The Bible narrates the story of ordinary people who dared to face challenging situations by the power of God. Joshua had to lead unarmed Israelites to conquer the land of a higher civilisation with advanced arms. Gideon overpowered the Midianite raiders, and Samson humbled the mighty Philistines.

At the same time, the scripture tells us that those who deny God are cowards: "The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion" (Prov 28:1).

Like Moses advised his successor, Joshua, Paul instructs Timothy to be bold. However, Paul points out that courage is the gift of the Holy Spirit he received.

The Spirit encourages the believers. The life and witness of the disciples of Christ in the past and the present are evidence of this truth. The fearful disciples, who shut themselves behind closed doors, became courageous witnesses when the Holy Spirit fell upon them in the upper room. When the Jewish authorities threatened them, they prayed together. They became bolder to preach the gospel: "And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness" (Acts 4:31).

Through the centuries, the Holy Spirit has encouraged followers of Christ to stand firm in the storms that rage against them. Modern-day martyrs and those who face opposition in situations hostile to the Christian faith testify to this aspect of the Holy Spirit.

Without the power of the Holy Spirit, we are people who flee when no one is pursuing us. Let us not flee nor fight with our strength, but lean on the courage God alone can provide in dealing with demanding situations.

When fear grips your heart, remember the source of true courage. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with boldness, as He did for the disciples and saints before you. Face life’s challenges not with your own strength, but with the power of God within you.

(To receive these devotionals daily on WhatsApp, click here.)