God Has Called Us To Courage To Be Obedient!

God Has Called Us To Courage To Be Obedient!

Published April 21, 2013

The message that Charles Stanley preached today was about Gideon and a call for us to be courageous.  The angel of the LORD called Gideon “valiant warrior” after telling him that the LORD is with him.  Because Gideon obeyed God, God brought victory over Israel’s enemies, the Amalekites and the Midianites.  God encouraged Gideon every step of the way and he will encourage us every step of the way as we step out and do what God asks of us.

God has a plan for each one of our lives.  We as Christians are in this world to do God’s will by achieving His goals and bringing glory to Him.  We do this by allowing Him to live through us.  God’s plan for us has to do with His overall purpose and all the smaller opportunities that help lead us to His excellent and perfect, awesome will.  God knows everything from where we’ve been and where we are to where He wants to take us.  God knows each path He asks us to go down and He gives us encouragement along the way so we don’t become discouraged.

When obstacles stand in our way and we feel unsure and fearful, God gives us His encouragement to help overcome.  God will give us the encouragement far beyond what we can imagine or anticipate in these situations in our lives.

When God calls us he also gives us what is necessary to carry out the work He has for us.  He prepares us through what we go through even when we don’t have any Idea where this or that will lead to.  God prepares us by allowing us to obey him in the small things to help us to be obedient to Him in all things.

The Lord gives us encouragement along the way because He knows we need it.  And this is what God did for Gideon in Judges 7:9-15.  God will show us if we are in need of more illumination to make sure it was God who spoke and not the opinion of someone or our own thoughts.  But once we are sure we will have the boldness to step out and precisely do what we know God has asked.

To get us ready for the great challenges God has He uses the smaller encounters as preparation.  Do you think Gideon would have been able to go to war with only 300 men had God not given him the tasks of tearing down his father’s idols and build an alter to the LORD?  Both of these tasks were very dangerous acts because the people of the city would be angry.  But Gideon passed the test and obeyed God.

Charles Stanley states, “Faithful obedience in every situation is crucial because God may be testing and preparing us for bigger opportunities.  We only have two choices (1) obey the Lord and find out what He’s willing to do with the rest of your lives, or (2) disobey Him and spend a lifetime wondering what He could have done if we’d only obeyed.  Little decisions may often seem insignificant, but to God they are a big deal.  If we’re not willing to obey Him in small matters, why would He trust us with greater assignments?”

We can be courageous and still want the assurance of God’s presence.   God knows what our weaknesses are and He provides us with what we need to successfully be obedient.     The Lord knows we have doubts sometimes, but unlike Gideon we have the Bible which is God’s Word and we can trust His Word.   Consequently, if we have walked with Christ for any length of time, we have His strengthening companionship that gives us fortitude to obey.

We want to obey God because God’s top priority is His honor and glory. So we need to walk humbly before our almighty Father, trusting Him all the time for whatever He wants to do in our lives.

Charles Stanley says, “Through the story of Gideon, the Lord teaches us five lessons about trusting in Him:  1. Don’t underestimate what God can do in and through you.  2. God will always be with you in whatever He’s called you to do.  3. The Lord is ready to give assurance when you doubt.  4. His ways are often surprising and challenging, but the best and the most successful.  5. The Lord always works in a way that exalts and glorifies Him.”

If you want to see the notes of this or hear Charles Stanley’s message ‘A Call for Courage’ you can read the notes or watch the broadcast at his website www.intouch.org  .  There you will find Life Principles Notes to read Charles’ own words on the topic.

Blessings to all,

Renee G. the KC Barley Lady