Having Courage Without Feeling Courageous

Esther 3:1-6

But Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor. (Est. 3:2)

 

 

IT MAY BE A LEGEND, but Gordon

McDonald tells the story of a great army that

created a path of destruction wherever it

went. They reserved their greatest wrath for

holy people. So when they arrived in one

small community, the leader of the village

told the invading commander, "All the

monks, hearing of your approach, fled to the

mountains."

 

The commander, an evil person and proud

of his fearsome reputation, smiled.

 

Then the leader added, "All, that is, but

one."

 

The commander became enraged and

marched to the monastery. In the courtyard,

he confronted the one remaining monk. "Do

you know who I am?" he demanded. "I am

he who can run you through without batting

an eyelash."

 

The monk returned the commander's gaze

and said, "And do you know who I am? I am

one who can let you run me through with a

sword without batting an eyelash."

 

It takes courage to stand your ground

when someone else wields all the power. But

the monk did it and so did Mordecai. In spite

of Haman's intimidating presence, Mordecai

remained true to his convictions.

 

By the way, so can you, with God's help.

Standing for what you believe is not always

easy. But it's worth it. "Courage," according

to Ken Harris, "isn't something that comes

easily. It's . . . standing with God amidst

opposition without feeling very

courageous."

 

Ron McClung

 

"Stand firm. Let nothing move you" (1 Cor. 15:58).