Daily Courage

[Judy Harder]

Christians suffering for their faith in Christ are encouraged and strengthened by this Psalm of David. He speaks about what he himself had experienced - struggle, suffering, loneliness and questions. But also victory, healing, encouragement and answered prayer.

"Awake, and rise to my defense! Contend for me, my God and Lord" (Psalm 35:23).

David

Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord and delight in his salvation.
My whole being will exclaim, "Who is like you, O Lord? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them."
Ruthless witnesses come forward; they question me on things I know nothing about.
They repay me evil for good and leave my soul forlorn.
But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee; attackers gathered against me when I was unaware. They slandered me without ceasing.
O Lord, you have seen this; be not silent. Do not be far from me, O Lord.
Awake, and rise to my defense! Contend for me, my God and Lord.
(Psalm 35:9-12, 15, 22-23)

[Judy Harder]

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

Enrique Palacio

I was born in Cuba in 1945 and I heard the good news of the Gospel in the living room of my grandmother's house. When I was only 15 years old I dedicated myself to Christ. It was at that time that tribulation and hardship came to my life.

When I became a minister of the Gospel these tribulations increased, but during my 13 years of ministry, it was my faith in Jesus that sustained me. Whenever tribulations, trials, temptations and discouragements came to my life I was reminded of Hebrews 11.

When I had to leave Cuba I thought that all the tribulations would be something of the past. But I soon discovered that the same spiritual enemy was very much present in the country of freedom and prosperity.

We cannot escape from the wiles of the devil.

But we can draw near to God ... in faith.

"This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith." (1 John 5:4b)

[Judy Harder]

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead. By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

(Hebrews 11:1-7)

Enrique Palacio

The first man of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11 is Abel. The Bible declares that it was Abel's faith which allowed him to get close to God.

Hebrews 11:5 talks about Enoch, who by faith was translated because he had walked with God.

And Hebrews 11:7 talks about Noah, who by faith worked with God and for God.

Worship by faith is the most elevated function of the human soul. It is only when we worship in spirit and truth (like Abel) that we are able to walk with God (like Enoch) and work with God (like Noah).

Therefore ... "let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." (Hebrews 10:22).

[Judy Harder]

By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (Hebrews 11:5-6)

Enrique Palacio

The first verse of Hebrews chapter 11 gives us a definition of faith. It is synonymous with assurance and conviction. Hebrews 11:6 indicates that faith has such importance that it will be impossible to please God without it.

God exhorts us to be faithful unto death.

"Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life." (Revelation 2:10)

A road that is 1,000 miles long begins with the first step. Likewise, the first step of faith for salvation is the beginning of your communion with God. But although the beginning is important, we must persevere day by day, week after week, year after year, until that day when we too will be translated to be in communion with God through eternity. The continuation of our communion with God will then be rewarded; and so shall we be with the Lord forever.

[Judy Harder]

By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.  (Hebrews 11:7)

Enrique Palacio

True faith is demonstrated in deeds. In other words, faith must be manifested in the way we live, act and behave.

Noah gave evidence of this reality when he heard God's command and acted upon it. For many, many years Noah built in faith. No signs of rain or destruction were there. But he built and waited.

Christ compares the end times with the days of Noah, "As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man."  (Matthew 24:37-39).

Noah lived in a time of grace and judgment. He lived in a time of tremendous apostasy. All around him was evil, sin and unbelief. Yet Noah had faith in God. And when judgment came he was safe.

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me." (John 14:1)

"Watch, therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming."

[Judy Harder]

The Lord saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. The Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain. So the Lord said, "I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth - men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air - for I am grieved that I have made them." But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.

(Genesis 6:5-8)

Enrique Palacio

The work of faith is to hear the voice of God in the midst of many different disturbing voices.

It is to obey the voice of God even if it seems contradictory to circumstances. It is to do the will of God even though you are doing it alone, with no other believers around you.

It is to persevere regardless of opposition and discouragement.

It is to accept the divine judgment without asking about its justice.

It is to proclaim the message of salvation even when nobody wants to listen.

It is ... total obedience despite the circumstances.

Can it be done?

Yes, because He who calls is faithful - He will do it.

[Judy Harder]

Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh's officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. The Lord was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned. From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field. So he left in Joseph's care everything he had; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well-built and handsome. (Genesis 39:1-6)

Enrique Palacio

The story of the life of Joseph occupies more than ten chapters of the book of Genesis. It seems that God wants us to know all the details of the faith that perseveres. Joseph resisted hatred, injustice, temptations and maybe the most difficult of all - success, prosperity and power.

From his life we learn:

§         faith is not moved by adversity.

§         faith that persists is not shaken by false accusations.

§         it is not blurred by promises that never seems to come true.

§         it is not limited to the present, but projects to the future.

The faith that persists:

§         sees the invisible.

§         believes the impossible.

§         receives the incredible.

[Judy Harder]

David notices that the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer. Yet he concludes that the little that the righteous have is better than the wealth of many wicked (Psalm 37:16). For the power and the riches of the wicked will vanish, but the righteous will live for ever and ever. The choice is not hard to make.

"Wait for the Lord and keep his way. He will exalt you to possess the land" (Psalm 37:34).

David

The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them;
but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.
The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.
But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.
Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked;
for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous.
The days of the blameless are known to the Lord, and their inheritance will endure forever.
In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.
(Psalm 37:12-19)

[Judy Harder]

For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God. (Psalm 86:10)

Andrés Noriega

Though we often felt out of touch with the Body of Christ elsewhere, we have seen and enjoyed God's hand of provision. He is in touch with His people worldwide and causes those who are free to help those who are persecuted.

The following incident explains this so beautifully. I had received an invitation to attend a Christian congress in another country. Due to the fact that Cuban authorities had always refused to give permission to go, we prayed very earnestly for government clearance. While making arrangements to go I had a long list of all the things I wanted to buy in the free world, that I could bring back to Cuba. The three most urgent items were Bibles, two tambourines for our worship group and four microphones for the church.

Then came the news - I was not allowed to go. What a disappointment and discouragement. But God was in control.

Three days later a young man came to my house. He came from the country where the Christian congress was taking place. He was on a business trip to Cuba and had only arrived a day ago.

"I have some gifts for you Pastor," he told me. He did not know me, and I did not know him so I was surprised. "A few days ago," the brother told me, "I heard about my business trip to Cuba so I quickly went to a shop to buy some things for the trip. Another customer in the shop overheard me talking about my forthcoming visit to Cuba. He came to me and said, 'I know a pastor in Cuba who has great needs in his church. Would you please visit him and give him some gifts?'

"You are that pastor sir ... and here are the gifts." I was overwhelmed. Many, many gifts and among them ... Bibles, tambourines and four microphones...

God knows our situation. He knows your problems too. He listens to our prayers and provides. Maybe in a different way than we expected, but in a wonderful way which gives glory to God. How great thou art."

[Judy Harder]

The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures for ever ... do not abandon the works of your hands.  (Psalm 138:

Andrés Noriega

I was at the point of entering university to study Philosophy. It was like a dream come true. I would finally be able to escape from my parents and their situation. My father was a pastor. I had lived with shortages and limitations. The last thing I ever wanted was to become a pastor. Because to me it stood for poverty, humiliation, danger and suffering. I had seen it and had lived through it. This was the time to get away from it. Go to university, learn, get a good job, become somebody. What I had forgotten ... God had not.

My mother could not have children for various reasons. Then, through a miracle, she got pregnant. She was overwhelmed with joy. When I was still in my mother's womb, promises came from different sources that the fruit of her womb was to become a servant of God. But here I was ... entering university. I had forgotten all about the promises to my mother. In fact, instead of following the Lord at all, l lived my own life, the life of the world, with plenty of fun and pleasure. I knew I lived in sin, but I still enjoyed it much more than living the dull life of a Christian.

But just before I entered the university something happened. It was as if a film was played, showing my life story. My whole life passed before me.... and the Lord touched my heart. I saw my stubbornness and His love, my insignificant self and His majesty. I cried and confessed my sins. Everything lost its value; nothing became more important than to receive forgiveness. I renounced all and dedicated my life to His service.

Today I am a pastor, joyful and happy and with this great conviction - The little that a righteous man has is better than the riches of the wicked.