Courage Under Fire

Help will be given

Read: Matthew 10 : 16 - 23

"Do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

Courage Under Fire

Time will come, as Jesus have proclaimed, that as a believer ,we will be persecuted regarding our beliefs.  We may be beaten, we may even have to defend in trials what we stand for, but this will be an opportunity to tell them, the rulers and the unbelievers, about Christ, the coming Kingdom and His gospel of Salvation (v.17-18).

How are we going to respond when these things happen? Jesus have told all these, thousand of years ago, to prepare us, so we will know how to respond when these things happens to us. We will not be caught unaware and doubtful of our beliefs, but be hopeful, because we know that He is in control (v.19-20).

Here are the attitudes on how we should respond when we are caught under fire.

As a Sheep among the Wolves

We must realize, acknowledge and submit to the fact that we will be a sacrifice for God's kingdom. God will be sending us in the midst of the people who will destroy us, who will devour us and who will tore us limbs to limbs. And as a lamb, we should walk in it silent, unperturbed and unwavering.

 But it will be for a purpose, it will not go into waste, because we know that it will serve its purpose. As a lamb, as a living sacrifice, we can share the gospel of salvation. Our demise will be a great gain to the cause.

Are we willing to offer our lives to Him?

Wise as a Serpent

Among all other creatures, the serpent whom  the only creature in the Bible were documented, as early as the creation, as wise, cunning and evasive creature known to man. The Enemy may have used it to cause the man to fall but God have used it as an illustration on how we should be when we are caught under fire.

As a snake, we should slither about the enemy, evading direct confrontation as much as possible but seeking ways to address the situation in a controlled manner. We are told to be as wise as the serpent, meaning our thought process, our rational thinking and decision making should be like those of a snake. Careful, abounding and calculated.

Are we a responsive or reactive person?

Harmless as a Dove

We may have been as wise a serpent, but we are also told to be as harmless as a dove. Dove like a lamb are mostly used to illustrate sacrifice, cleanliness and meekness in relating to other people around us. We may know our direction and purpose in life but it should never be at the expense of others but of ours.

We must be willing to go where we are sent, live where we are guided and remain when we are told to stand still. We must be willing to trust and obey the plans of our Lord, plans to prosper us, to make as successful and fruitful for His coming kingdom.

How are we responding to God's call?

Courage Under Fire

PERSONAL APPLICATION

These proclamation have been done thousand of years ago so we can be prepared and not caught in surprise. Here are some practical suggestions on how we can prepare before the Lord sends us to the battlefield:

1. Be willing - God wants us to be a willing sacrifice, a willing servant and a willing shepherd. Our attitude with regards to the Lord's ministry should be one of a submissive to the call.
2. Be wise - we can only gain true wisdom by reading His word daily, meditating on it and living it out as much as possible on our lives. Wisdom is a combination of knowledge and action. We must do something about what we learn and gain from studying His word.
3. Be gentle - we must not harm anyone on the trail of our ministry, be careful not to cause others to stumble and pain. As much as possible, we must be gentle on all our ways and loving in manner whenever we share the gospel of Salvation.