By its nature, faith takes action. God is not fearfully passive, and neither are people of faith. Faith is convinced that what God says is true and lives accordingly. When we know that God is our Creator – Sustainer – Redeemer – Provider – Lord who keeps his promises, it gives us an enormous amount of confidence. If God will always be with us and has our back in every situation, we know that we can act boldly and courageously. If we know that God is ultimately in control of every situation, we can joyfully encounter the unknown and thrive in the midst of uncertainty. If we are convinced that death cannot defeat us, that life extends beyond the grave, and that Jesus holds the keys of hell and death, we can boldly face death and suffering.

Faith is known by its boldness and courage.

One of my favorite stories in the Bible is about Gideon, the timid man that God converted into a mighty warrior and leader of Israel. I will not recount the story here, but I encourage you to read it in its entirety. (Judges 6-7) Suffice it to say that God took a man who was afraid of his enemies and too timid to lead and made him into a fearless warrior who led Israel to victory in a battle against ridiculous odds. It was possible because God convinced him that he would always be with him. When God is with us, it is enough. That is what he told Moses (Exodus 3:11-12), Joshua (Joshua 1:5), and what he tells us. (John 14:16-17)

The first key to boldness and courage is knowing that God will always be with us.

A second component of the boldness and courage that belong to faith is being sure to what God has called us to do and embracing it.  Going back to Gideon, it took quite a bit of convincing to get that man to buy into God’s seemingly outlandish plan, but when he did, there was no turning him back. The steps in Gideon’s development were as follows:

1. The Call. God called Gideon a mighty warrior and proceeded to give him a job to deliver Israel from her enemies. The call seemed crazy to Gideon, but he was willing to go with God on a faith journey. God revealed himself to Gideon as Jehovah-Shalom, the God who is peace, as he set him on a collision course with the enemies of God. God gives us peace as we stand strong in faith against God’s enemies.
2. The First Test. God commanded Gideon to confront the idolatry in his family and tribe. If he could face the wrath of his own people, it would help prepare him to take on a vast enemy army. God was with him and protected him after he tore down the community altar to a false god.
3. The Commission to Do the Impossible. God called Gideon to lead Israel into battle against an enemy whose forces were astronomically larger than his. It made no sense, but God went to great pains and was very patient with our reluctant hero in order to convince him that it was really God asking him to do this. Once that happened, Gideon was fearless. Faith enters our hearts when we know for sure what God wants us to do.
4. The Victory. Gideon followed God’s specific instructions and led 300 God-selected men against an army of 135,000. That is 450 to 1! Numbers do not matter to God. All that matters to him is having people who boldly and courageously follow him.

Jesus called his disciples to go to “war” against equally impossible odds. The Jewish leaders and the Roman empire opposed them and their message. Jesus taught his disciples to boldly face death and persecution as his representatives, which they did. The early disciples were convinced that the Spirit of God was with them, that the gospel message would eventually triumph, and that death and pain were nothing to be feared. As John wrote:

Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has come at last— salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth— the one who accuses them before our God day and night. 11  And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die. 12  Therefore, rejoice, O heavens! And you who live in the heavens, rejoice! But terror will come on the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you in great anger, knowing that he has little time.” Revelation 12:10-12 (NLT)  

My friends, I hope this meditation does not seem to be to you a lesson in ancient history. The accuser of the brethren, the devil, is still at work. We see him in operation on a daily basis as the politics of the day plays out. Our president has been constantly accused of being treasonous and illegitimate since his election. Those who follow the media have heard the chorus for his impeachment literally “day and night.” Those who vilify and curse authority are at war with God himself, who is the one who appoints all authority.

Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2  So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. Romans 13:1-2 (NLT)  

Whether or not leaders are righteous, we are still called to respect and obey them whenever they do not command us to do things that oppose God’s commands or our conscience. We should not think for a moment that the Left is merely opposing our president. We are in the midst of a movement to overthrow all vestiges of Christianity in our country.

Many Christians are concerned with what they perceive to be the increasing secularization of popular culture today. They express concern that Christianity will one day become hated and persecuted in America as it is in much of the world. That day may not be far off. (Life Site News)

Those who seek to conserve the founding values of our nation were described by then President Obama as “bitter” people” who cling to guns, religion, and hatred of those unlike them. This does not do justice to the Christians I know who oppose the godless drift of our culture and nation, but who care about their neighbors. As the nation rapidly shifts to a “Progressive” (shall we be honest and say, “communist”?) mindset, those who hold to Christ and his teachings are being positioned more and more like a group of people who stand in the way of enlightened progress. It is not hard to imagine the nation turning on us. I believe that we must prepare ourselves for the persecution that is surely coming. My friends, the Last Days are upon us.

Whether or not such a Last Days scenario actually develops in the near future, followers of Christ are called, like Gideon, to face up to a seemingly unconquerable foe, our culture, with courage and zeal.

We are not fighting with conventional weapons of war. We do battle in the spiritual realm.

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 (NLT) 

Part of the genius of Christianity is that we overcome by spiritual means – the blood of the Lamb, the word of our testimony, and courageous faith often leading to martyrdom.

Perhaps we will one day take our place in the history of Christianity alongside other martyrs. We shall see. Be strong in faith.

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. 14  And do everything with love. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (NLT)