Strong and Courageous

What does the face of courage look like? We have seen the look of it on the faces of every Ukrainian we see. Some are crying, some looked worried, others look scared. I think it is possible to be all of those things and still be courageous.

The guy in the foreground of this picture is the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. You all know that. Look at his face.

If the Russins captured Zelensky, what do you think they would do to him? I think he and his buddies here would be executed. Dead men tell know tales.

Now let me ask you another question. What expression do you think Jesus had on His face before He was crucified? I bet it would have been similar. One definition of courage is knowing something bad is going to happen but going through with it anyway because you know it is this right thing to do.

Jesus didn't want to go to the cross, but He did it anyway. Why? Because something greater was about to happen. It was all part of God's plan. Jesus gave up His earthly life so that God's will for the rest of us could be completed.

Have you ever read the first chapter of Joshua? There is a link at the bottom of the page. In one short chapter, God tells Johua to do something FOUR times! What do you think it was?

"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.

7 “Be strong and very courageous." - Joshua 1:6-7

Why did God want Joshua to be "strong and courageous?" Because Joshua was about to lead his people into multiple wars, all so God's will could be accomplished. Did you know that Josuah and Jesus (pronounced Yeshua in Hebrew) share the same name?

And what is God's will regarding the Ukranian people? I don't know the answer to that. But I think that being strong and courageous is playing a part in it. Is Zelensky a Christian? I don't know that either. But he sure is acting like one. He is willing to sacrifice his life to lead his people. Wasn't Johua willing to do the same thing?

That brings me to this question. How are we as Christians to act as we watch the ravages of war on our safe little television screens? Are WE being strong and courageous? And what about our government? Zelensky has asked for help several times. What have we given the Ukrainian people? Has our president been strong and courageous?

We need to be praying for all of the above. Zelensky, Putin, Biden, they ALL need our prayers. Let us be strong and courageous as we approach God's throne in prayer.

Joshua 1