Courage

Courage is scary, because in order to have courage, you must go through something intimidating. Today instead of doing a specific character study, I'm going to share a few people from the book of Daniel who lived with great courage, and a few verses that apply to being courageous in our lives today.

1) Meshach, Shadrach, and Abednego. These three men showed a huge amount of courage. The king had built a huge statue that he wanted his people to worship. These guys didn't think it was right! They had only one King they wanted to worship, and it wasn't Nebuchadnezzar. But rebellion had a price, and Nebuchadnezzar is to throw anyone who disobeys his commands into a fiery furnace. Check out this dynamic voice of courage found in the book of Daniel.

Daniel 3:16-18Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered King Nebuchadnezzar, "Your threat means nothing to us. If you throw us in the fire, the God we serve can rescue us from your roaring furnace and anything else you might cook up, O king. But even if he doesn't, it wouldn't make a bit of difference, O king. We still wouldn't serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up."

Wow! They have such faith in God, stating the He will rescue them. But really what makes a mark? When they say "But even if he doesn't, it wouldn't make a bit of difference." They believe that God will take care of them, but if He doesn't, they will not regret their decision. Can you be much more courageous? We know the story. The people watching them be thrown into the furnace see not just 3 figures in the furnace, but a very mysterious 4th figure is also in the fire. The men are retrieved from the furnace with no scars, not even their clothes were burned.

2) Daniel. Something I did not understand as a kid is that Daniel was actually well acquainted with the three men we just talked about! I never knew that until recent study of the Bible.

If we read on in the book of Daniel, we find our next character of awesome courage, Daniel. There's a new king in town, King Darius. His officials are jealous of Daniel, and they are able to talk the king into enforcing a decree that nobody in the land can pray or serve anyone but the king for 30 days. Anyone who disobeys will be fed to the lions. These officials did this because they knew that Daniel was a very faithful servant of God and they could find no other way to get rid of him. As the Message Bible puts it, "They searched for skeletons in his closet but found none."

As they planned, Daniel keeps praying to his God. The officials bring it to Darius' attention. He regrets making the law, because he greatly respects Daniel.

Daniel 6:16 The king caved in and ordered Daniel brought and thrown into the lions' den. But he said to Daniel, "Your God, to whom you are so loyal, is going to get you out of this." 

Daniel's courage is so great that it even causes the king to have faith in a God he doesn't serve! The next morning, when the king has had enough, he goes to check on his friend. Daniel is unscathed, completely protected. His courage changes the entire land.

Daniel 6:25-27 King Darius published this proclamation to every race, color, and creed on earth:

Peace to you! Abundant peace! I decree that Daniel's God shall be worshiped and feared in all parts of my kingdom. He is the living God, world without end. His kingdom never falls. His rule continues eternally. He is a savior and rescuer. He performs astonishing miracles in heaven and on earth. He saved Daniel from the power of the lions.

You've probably heard or read those stories countless times, but it's such a great reminder. These men all showed such exemplary accounts of courage! Here are just a few encouraging verses about courage.

Deuteronomy 31:6 
Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. 

Psalm 56:3-4 When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? 

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 

 How can you be courageous in your faith today?