Reg Killingley, appealing to all history buffs, focuses on the sinking of the Titantic and the eight band members who showed courage in the face of death, exercising strength in the face of pain and grief. In the Bible, we find many examples of courage, but usually it is coupled with wisdom-the knowledge of what is or is not the right thing.  Solomon acquired God's favor by asking for wisdom and understanding.  The sad fact that Solomon entered into many marriages and built many temples to foreign gods may have indicated that Solomon lacked courage to carry through on his commitments to God. Much of the wisdom about nagging wives in the Proverbs no doubt had derived from these life experiences. It seems that wisdom must be paired with courage in order for it to be effective.  Jeroboam was offered the same blessings of leadership as had been given to David, but he lacked courage to follow through on his loyalty to God, leading him to place shrines in Bethel and Dan, appointing priests not from the family of Levi, as well as changing the dates for God's feasts and holy days.  In contrast, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego exercised courage with wisdom and were delivered by God from their fiery trial. Jesus Christ admonishes us not to fear those who do not have the power to grant eternal life. God has given His Holy Spirit as the Spirit of courage and boldness. David exercised courage as he approached Goliath. Saul, on the other hand, by failing to slay all of the Amalekites, yielded to his fear of the people.  The evil spies sent out to explore the Promised Land lacked courage.  We are reminded that courage is not the absence of fear; instead it is carrying on in spite of the fear.  We need to develop our courage incrementally, not being afraid to make mistakes. It takes courage to live as a Christian; we are admonished to encourage one another, using the power of the Holy Spirit residing in us.

Ashtoreth   Bravery   Buy us   Chemosh   Cor   Courage   Courage to say no   Daniel 3:12-14   Delilah   Dream   Eight band members   Feeling pain   I Kings 3:8-11; 11:14-37; 12:26; 14    I Samuel 16   Guts   "If you really love me"   Hananiah   Hebrews 10:25   Jeroboam   Judah   Luke 22   Matthew 10:28; 18   Nagging wife   Numbers 14    Parecleto    Proverbs 19:13   Rehoboam   Repeated   Right thing to do   II Timothy 1:7   Shout out to history buffs    Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego    Newark mayor    Sinking of the Titantic   Solomon's multiple marriages   Solomon  prayed for wisdom   Strength in the face of pain and grief   Tearing apart of  Solomon's kingdom   Ten tribes of the north   Terror   Willing to die for our beliefs   Wisdom