"Courage in the Lord, Brethren"
By D. T. Bourdeau
ACCOMPANIED with a thrill and pathos that bespeak the divine presence and heavenly indorsement, the words, "Courage in the Lord, brethren," were uttered in my hearing nearly fifty years ago, by one of the pioneers in this cause, who now sweetly sleeps in Jesus. It required much courage in those days, when the number of believers was small, and prejudice and opposition knew no bounds, to accept the message for the last generation, in the face of all that was to be met. Those who then accepted this message under such circumstances, did have courage and heroism, reminding those who heard and knew them of the courage and heroism of martyrs, of early Christians, and of all the saints whose lives are chronicled in Holy Writ. And we need the same courage and heroism to-day that all these had, and it is our privilege to possess these excellent qualities. But how shall we possess them? In giving way to unbelief and in talking unbelief, as did the spies that brought back an evil report from the promised land? or by cherishing and talking faith, as did Caleb and Joshua? Shall we be characterized with much genuine courage and heroism, if we, with a perishing world around us, fold our hands in listless indifference, and do not by faith venture to do deeds of heroism to help in rescuing from the9thraldom and bondage of sin those who are outside of Christ and unprepared to meet him at his coming? There is courage and courage, heroism and heroism; in other words, there are two kinds of these traits; one that is for Satan and of the world; another that is of God and of his Spirit. There is a courage that is in self, that is based on self, and has for motive and animus the promotion of self and worldly fame, like that of Peter before his conversion, when he boastfully asserted that he could follow his Master into prison, and lay down his life for him. There is another courage that is in the Lord, based on the Lord, and has for motive and animus the promotion of God's glory, and that fame and honor which come from God alone, like that of Peter after his conversion, when, having felt his own utter weakness, he exalted the Lord and performed deeds of valor before a large concourse of people on the day of Pentecost, and saw thousands converted to the Lord as he had been. Before his conversion, Peter displayed a kind of heroism in unsheathing his sword and wielding it to the cutting off of the right ear of a soldier whom he had aimed to kill. There are thousands to-day who display the same kind of heroism, who are, nevertheless, pusillanimous in the highest sense of that expression, when it comes to slaying of self, and standing nobly for him who died for them, as did Peter when possessed of true courage and genuine heroism after his conversion to the Lord. There is not a command of the Lord from Genesis to Revelation for us to be discouraged. Everything in the plan of salvation is of a character to lift the clouds of gloom and discouragement from those who humble themselves, repent, and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Moses, as a type of Christ, said to his people, before their entrance into the promised land: "Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." Deut. 31: 6. And these words are as applicable to us as they were to ancient Israel. And we have more to encourage us than the Israelites had to encourage them in the days of Moses. The heavenly Canaan is near, and soon, if faithful and believing, we shall enter into it, and possess it with all its wealth and inconceivable glory. There is nothing that encourages like walking in the ways of the Lord, and enjoying the presence and operations of the Spirit of God. By faith we may walk in God's ways, and receive his Spirit without measure, that it may work through us mightily to the furtherance of the best of causes. Jesus informs us that we shall have tribulation in the world; but immediately adds, "But be of good cheer ["have good courage," French Translation]; I have overcome the world." John 16:33. It were vain to talk of courageous deeds, of valor, if difficulties were not to be met. It is when meeting difficulties and the deadly foe, that the good soldier shows courage and heroism. Brethren and sisters, let us by faith be strong and courageous in the Lord, and magnify his grace by doing valiantly for him and his cause, that we may at last receive the "Well done, good and faithful servant," from the lips of our dear Saviour and Exemplar, of whom it is written, "He shall not fail nor be discouraged." Isa. 42:4.