The Philistine came on and drew near to David, with his shield bearer in front of him. When the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was only a youth, ruddy and handsome in appearance. The Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. The Philistine said to David, “come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the wild animals of the field.” But David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with sword, spear and javelin; but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This very day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, so that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel (1Samuel 17: 41-46a) NRSV.
Let’s talk a little bit about courage. How much courage did the future King David need when he killed Goliath? God was with David in this conflict, but it also took great courage on David’s part to face the giant Goliath. Along with courage it also took David’s skill with a sling shot, it took his speed, guile and strength to send the stone into the giant’s forehead. The Bible contains examples of many other kinds of human behavior, but the stories of courage are what impact us most.
We admire the men and women of our military for defending our freedom. Every day they risk their lives to protect us and keep us safe and free. Police, firefighters and EMTs are all people who are courageous. We thank God for them because they stand ready at any moment to risk their lives for us and to keep our families and homes safe.
Courage can take many different forms. Recently I saw a program on PBS about death and dying. One of the families detailed in the show was a couple from Michigan whose child had been born with severe birth defects. Doctors where not able to do anything for the child and the young couple where facing the unspeakable, planning their infant son’s funeral. I was struck by the courage it took for the young mother and father to eulogize their child during the funeral service.
There is no greater example of courage than Jesus. Defiant to the powers of this world to the end, he faces his death with grim courage. As he unjustly dies a criminal’s death on the cross Jesus frees us from the power of sin, and joins himself to us, and gives us courage to face the realities of life. We can take great comfort in the fact that when our personal sense of courage might falter, Jesus is available to lend us His all powerful courage, to see us through life’s most troublesome times.
Calvary Lutheran Church will soon begin a series of community outreach opportunities based on the film “Courageous.” This is something completely different for our congregation and it will take great courage on all of our parts to open up to our community to share the Good News of Jesus Christ to others. I strongly encourage everyone who reads this newsletter, members and friends of Calvary alike, to plan on participating in this life changing experience. Watch this Newsletter and our website at www.calvarynorthwood.org for more details. I promise you will never look at your family the same way again. I am so proud to be your pastor.
Blessings,
Pastor Bob