The Formula that Makes Us Brave

What is the answer to the storm raging around us? When our present circumstances threaten our future hopes, how should we respond?

Monday I wrote about three ways we survive theses storms. These survival modes lead us to get out, check out or sell out. But what we want to do is stay. Stay and be Brave.

Each Biblical example of a survival mode I used in Monday’s post also includes a moment, or a person, who chooses to be Brave. Let’s use one of the most talked about examples – David and Goliath.

Without hesitation David moved towards the giant. How could he be so brave?

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,” Philippians 1:9-10 (ESV)

David acted with confidence because he knew God and he experienced God.

In 1 Samuel 17, David takes one look at Goliath and wonders, Who does this guy think he is?

‘For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?’” 1 Samuel 17:26 (ESV)

David knew the God he served. He’d heard about God’s power and sovereignty. So who could come against that God?

But knowledge alone didn’t compel David to chase down the giant. David stood armed with proof of his knowledge.

And David said, ‘The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.'” 1 Samuel 17:37 (ESV)

During David’s time keeping sheep in the fields he encountered opposition. Lions and bears came for his sheep and he went after them. He successfully killed the predators and protected his flock. David’s knowledge of God reminded Him only God’s power could provide such a thing. And David’s experience of his God shaped him into the shepherd boy who took down a giant.

Knowledge plus experience leads to understanding. And true understanding of who God is and what He does makes us brave.

And it’s important to note David’s focus as he marched towards Goliath,

‘that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord‘s, and he will give you into our hand.’” 1 Samuel 17:46-47 (ESV)

God’s glory.

David could have been thinking about the earthly throne God promised him. David could have spoken of the rewards he’d been promised by King Saul. But David’s only words pointed to the God he knew and had experienced.

David wanted to make God’s name famous, not his own.

Jesus says He is The Way. Not a way or part of the way. The. Only. Way. And when we believe in His way alone, truly, all things are possible …

Moses parted a sea with a stick and freed a nation without a fight.

The Israelites took down city walls by simply marching around them.

David brought a giant to the ground with a sling and a stone.

What does God want to do with your dream? Do you need to ask him? Maybe you’ve stopped dreaming. Is it time to remember that passion planted by God?

Leave a comment! Will you pledge to be Brave? If so, what steps will you take to be Brave?