The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage..." (Acts 23:11)!
Our Father in heaven, throughout Scripture You have challenged and invited Your people to stake their courage on Your faithfulness and Your promised presence. Even as Moses, and later Joshua, brought an entire nation through unfamiliar territory and unknown dangers, You encouraged them:
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified..., for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).
And our Lord Jesus, commissioning the disciples to "go and make disciples of all nations..." assured them, and us, of His presence, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
Father, You have not left us unaware of the dangers, or the difficulties on our spiritual journey. Your perfect, sinless Messiah endured suffering, and ridicule, and a cruel death; and warned us, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed My teaching, they will obey yours also" (John 15:20).
Yet, O Lord, You remain true to Your promise. In the direst of circumstances, You stood at the side of the apostle Paul, speaking Your words of power and encouragement, "Take courage" (Acts 23:11). It was the unfailing demonstration of Your faithfulness and Your trustworthiness that allowed him to write to the Roman believers, "Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen" (Romans 8:33)?
Whatever our circumstances, O Father, You are with us—the Mighty Warrior who saves (Zephaniah 3:17). Whether we go through persecution, trouble, and distress of great magnitude, or more subtle opposition and wearisome trials, You stand by us, speaking Your words of power and encouragement, "Take courage."
Help us to hear You above the noise of fear and trepidation. Still our hearts, calm our souls. Remind us of the example of our Lord Jesus and those who have persevered by faith (Hebrews 11).
Remind us that Your grace is sufficient, and Your presence is enough, so that even in the most difficult circumstances we can say with confidence, "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed" (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).
Faith of our fathers, living still, In spite of dungeon, fire, and sword; Oh, how our hearts beat high with joy Whene’er we hear that glorious Word!
Refrain: Faith of our fathers, holy faith! We will be true to thee till death.
Our fathers, chained in prisons dark, Were still in heart and conscience free; How sweet would be their children’s fate, If they, like them, could die for thee!
Faith of our fathers, we will strive To win all nations unto thee; And through the truth that comes from God, We all shall then be truly free.
Faith of our fathers, we will love Both friend and foe in all our strife; And preach thee, too, as love knows how By kindly words and virtuous life.
~ Frederick W. Faber ~ published 1849
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