Warriors for the Faith Lesson 2: Courage Under Fire

Warriors for the Faith, Lesson 2: Courage Under Fire

Key text: Joshua 1:9 (KJV)

Authorized Sword Ministries

Audio narrated with an AI voice. Read along below.

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Where We Left Off

In Lesson One we learned we're called to stand. Today is Lesson Two. It's called "Courage Under Fire." We'll meet a man, a woman, and three young men who stood when it cost them.

Our Key Verse

"Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."
— Joshua 1:9 (KJV)

Courage isn't the absence of fear. It's trusting that "the LORD thy God is with thee."

Daniel: Faithful When It Was Against the Law

A law was passed that no one could pray to anyone but the king for thirty days (Daniel 6:7). Daniel prayed anyway, just as before.

"Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime."
— Daniel 6:10 (KJV)

He was thrown into the lions' den, and God shut the lions' mouths.

"My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt."
— Daniel 6:22 (KJV)

Esther: "If I Perish, I Perish"

Esther's people were marked for death (Esther 3:13). Going to the king without being called could cost her life (Esther 4:11). She asked her people to fast, and she went.

"Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish."
— Esther 4:16 (KJV)

God used her courage to save her people (Esther 8:11).

Three Young Men and the Fiery Furnace

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow to the king's golden image.

"If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king."
— Daniel 3:17 (KJV)

"But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up."
— Daniel 3:18 (KJV)

"But if not." They trusted God to deliver them, but they'd stay faithful even if He didn't. And the Lord was with them in the fire (Daniel 3:25).

Where Courage Comes From

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
— 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)

"The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"
— Psalms 27:1 (KJV)

Closing Thought

Daniel, Esther, and the three Hebrew young men weren't fearless. They were faithful. As an application, God still calls men and women to that kind of courage today. Next time, in Lesson Three, we'll learn to use our weapon.

Let Us Pray

Lord, give us courage to stay faithful when it costs us. Remind us You are with us in the fire. In Jesus' name, amen.

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