LOVE IS A GREAT SOURCE OF COURAGE

Courage within ourselves comes from different sources. Jairus' courage to approach Jesus to heal her daughter, regardless of the consequences to his career and status in religious society, came from his deep love for his daughter. He would do anything for his daughter because of his love and compassion. Similarly, God's love for us moved Him to send His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Our Lord Jesus chose to come down from heaven, gave His life, and suffered to save us and give us eternal life because of His deep love for us. Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Love is a great source of courage. When God summarized all His commandments into two commandments, it showed that the motive to obey God is to love Him and others (Matthew 22:37-39).  

We have the courage to do anything for those we love deeply. For example, Linda, my wife, was willing to go to Maryland and away from me and took time off from work for several weeks to take care of her mother, who is going through cancer treatment right now. Although it was not easy for me to be separated from her for many weeks, I know that this is very important for her and the family, so I have the courage to support and love her through the process. Similarly, we have the courage to follow and obey God because of our deep love for Him. Many Christians were martyred during the time of the Roman Empire. One of the Christians martyred was Polycarp. The Romans burned him at the stake because he refused to reject Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Polycarp said to the Romans, "86 years have I served Him (Jesus), and He has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King and my Savior?" Polycarp loved God, and that gave him the courage to die for his faith. 

Love is a great source of courage. We will do anything for those we love. 

The challenge that we have today is to examine our hearts to see if we truly love God and others. If we are too focused on ourselves and everything is all about us, we will never have the courage to follow God and do sacrificially for others.

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) Why is it that love is a great source of courage? Describe a situation in which you did something sacrificially for others because of love. What lesson did God show you through today's devotion?

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, thank you for reminding me today that love is a great source of courage. Please help me to love in the way you want me to love so that I may have the courage to follow and obey you and to do sacrificially for others. Protect my heart from self-centeredness. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.