Take Courage

Take courage. 

After a harrowing series of events that ultimately led to the Apostle Paul’s arrest by Romans in Jerusalem, the Lord Jesus appeared to him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome” (Acts 23:11). Paul was in a desperate, seemingly hopeless situation—akin to what we are experiencing today. Could he obey? 

Can we take courage to endure the consequences of this pandemic? Can we take courage when we don’t know if we or someone we love might contract the corona virus? Can we take courage when we don’t know whether our finances will sustain us? Can we take courage when we don’t know if the grocery stores will keep up with the demand for food supplies? Can we take courage when we are isolated from others for an indefinite period of time? Can we take courage when we have a loved one in a longterm health facility? We all have our own list of concerns and “what ifs.” So how can we take courage? Would God command something if it was not possible to obey?

The key seems to be in what follows the command to Paul—God set forth a purpose for Paul that had yet to be fully realized. He was to continue preaching. God promised Paul that he would one day arrive in Rome (the center of the world at the time). Paul could take courage because God assured him that his job on earth was not yet finished. The Sovereign God would guarantee fulfillment of His purpose for Paul. And of course, we read in Acts 28 that Paul did get to Rome where he proclaimed the Gospel of Jesus Christ for two years. His ministry in Rome allowed the Gospel to go to the ends of the earth! 

Is it possible that we can take courage in the midst of our present circumstances because we have a similar assurance that He has a plan and purpose for us that has not yet been fully realized? If we believe that He is sovereign can’t we trust Him as Paul did? We do not know when we will be called from this earth, but we do know that while we are still here He has given each of us a purpose.  Shouldn’t our question then be, “Lord, what can I do today in the midst of this crisis?” I can then take courage knowing we are not doing these works by ourselves and that He will complete them. 

“I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted,” Job 42:2

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” I Peter 2:9

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

I know the suffering that many in this world are experiencing is very real. I am praying for God’s peace and comfort for all.

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