Be of Good Courage

"Be strong, and let us be courageous for the sake of our people, and for the cities of our God; and may the Lord do what seems good to him.” - 2 Samuel 10:12

This Fall I will be inviting you to live out your faith in daily life and with courage. I will be passing out prayer cards for you to use each day. These "Prayer of Courage for Faith in Daily Life" prayer cards are a starting point for each day. My goal is for everyone who calls Lord of Life home to join me in this prayer every day. 

Faith in daily life requires courage. Inviting God's help as we face each day reminds us that our courage is found in God, not merely by our own doing.

I like the Prophet Samuel's words. "Be strong, and let us be courageous for the sake of our people, and for the cities of God; and may the Lord do what seems good to him." Samuel was a key figure in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament early books) because he modeled courage by helping God's people to transition from the period of biblical judges to a kingdom under Saul's (and later David's) rule. The people begged God for a messiah and God provided Saul and David. Later, God will provide the people another Messiah in Jesus Christ.

These early Bible readings are full of stories of God'e people trying and failing to live out their faith in daily life. God is faithful and, as our confirmation youth will tell you (I pray), God does not give up on God's people. God won't give up on us, either. God has already done the work of our salvation. God's grace has already been shared, what remains is for us to embrace how we live in response. Faithfully. Daily.

I'm not advocating for you to become a televangelist or to thump anyone over the head with your Bible (ouch!) but I am asking you to take your faith with you into every situation. With courage. As you make decisions each day, begin with prayer. As you wonder about the direction to take in life, school, retirement, or in your daily vocation, ask how God is at work around you and how you might join in the effort. When given the chance to choose kindness out of love for your neighbor, choose kindness.

Maybe you are already doing some of these things. Hooray! How are you engaging your faith as you show kindness or make good choices at work or school? How are you giving thanks to God for kindnesses received or clean water to drink or for a meal? Our prayer cards include these words, "Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us..."

What would it look like for you to go out in good courage? To be stretched to act or serve others in a way that is not comfortable? Give us faith, indeed, God.

Will you join me, will you join your congregation, in praying this prayer each day? Will you join me in stepping out in faith to love and serve and worship in God's name? I pray that your answer will be a resounding yes.

In peace and hope,
Pastor Paul

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