Bravery

When I see our first responders come upon a dangerous situation, they immediately go into this role of trying to remedy the situation for those who are threatened or in trouble. Whether it’s an accident where a person’s life is in grave danger or building that is on fire and someone needs rescue, they are very brave. They are also well trained in nearly every circumstance about how to respond bravely, but with knowledge and skill. I really have a lot of respect for our first responders and our law enforcement who put themselves in dangerous situations to save someone they often don’t know anything about other than they need saving at the moment.

David exhibits bravery when Saul threatened him. He and his men were fugitives from the king’s reach. While they were hiding out they heard of a situation where the Philistines threatened a town. Check this out…

1 When David was told, ‘Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah and are looting the threshing-floors,’ 2 he enquired of the Lord, saying, ‘Shall I go and attack these Philistines?’

The Lord answered him, ‘Go, attack the Philistines and save Keilah.’

3 But David’s men said to him, ‘Here in Judah we are afraid. How much more, then, if we go to Keilah against the Philistine forces!’

4 Once again David enquired of the Lord, and the Lord answered him, ‘Go down to Keilah, for I am going to give the Philistines into your hand.’ 5 So David and his men went to Keilah, fought the Philistines and carried off their livestock. He inflicted heavy losses on the Philistines and saved the people of Keilah. (1 Samuel 23:1-5 NIV)

I admire David from many angles, but when told of this situation, his first response was to enquire of the Lord. He knew the secret of his success as a leader came from following the Lord. I also love his approachability when his men declared their fear, David went back to the Lord. His bravery came from the Presence of God in his life. This young man who sang songs to the Lord on his harp was also a brave warrior and in both situations, his confidence came from being in the Presence of God.

I needed this reminder today. I will not be afraid of any one or any think when the Lord is leading me. He gives me confidence I didn’t have. He gives me strength. He gives me peace. He gives me wisdom. He gives me discernment. There is nothing that I can face that scares the Lord. He is all knowing and He is over all things and He is in all things. His Presence in me is a big game changer in how I view the tasks that are before me. He instills confidence and bravery in my heart as I seek to live with His Presence in me.

Pressing On!

Dwayne