Many years ago I was discussing my fear of talking to people about my faith in Christ. I was overwhelmed with feelings that I was not prepared, afraid that I would say the wrong things and did not know enough about the Bible. A friend said to me, “Courage is not the absence of fear, it is the opposite. Courage is the ability to move beyond fear to do what is right and must be done.”

In 2 Chronicles, King Hezekiah and the people of Judah were under siege. Sennacherib, king of Assyria had come to destroy their homes and take the people into captivity. The nation was filled with fear. Hezekiah called the people to action and to prayer. Together the people did the work to prepare for battle. They blocked the water supply that ran to the area where the Assyrian army had camped and strengthened weak sections of the wall of Jerusalem. 

King Hezekiah and the people prayed and cried out to God for deliverance. God sent an angel who attacked the Assyrians and the army retreated in defeat. God honored the faith and courage of Hezekiah and the nation to stand against the vast army that threatened them. Their faith was an invitation for God to show His power. God was glorified through their faith, His fame spread, and the nation was preserved. 

What an amazing story and a great example of God’s power! Are you overwhelmed by circumstances in your life today? Do you feel like a “vast army” has your life under siege? The God who provided relief to Judah is with you today.

God I choose to trust you, and I thank you for your presence with me. I present my life in all its circumstances to you. I believe that you have a good plan for me. I ask you for wisdom to recognize what I must do and to understand what is in your hands to do on my behalf. Amen.

TAKE ACTION

The next time you’re in an overwhelming situation ask these questions:

What can you do and what must you trust God to do?



Tags: courage
Photo Credit: Teddy Kelley