The Lord is Our Rock
The Lord is Our Rock
Our help is in the Name of the Lord, who made Heaven and Earth...
Courage in Christ
"The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold" (Psalm 18:2, ESV).
This morning I was reading and reflecting on David’s Psalm 18. Courage is a virtue at the heart of our walk with Christ. David portrays God as our fortress and deliverer. This image calls us to embrace the battles we face with resolute faith. When we read the Gospels, what becomes clear is that we are to engage in spiritual warfare, armed not with physical weapons but with the spiritual armament He provides.
Consider the Apostle Peter, who declared, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). Peter’s courage stemmed from his unwavering faith in Jesus. Similarly, our courage is rooted in faith—a faith that is unshakable because it is anchored in the steadfast love and promises of God.
The first weapon Jesus gives us is faith. Faith is not merely intellectual assent but a deep, abiding trust in God’s sovereignty and goodness. It is the assurance that, no matter the adversity we face, God is in control. This faith allows us to stand firm, like David before Goliath, knowing that the battle belongs to the Lord (1 Samuel 17:47).
The second weapon is love. Jesus said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). Love disarms hostility and builds bridges in the midst of conflict. It is through love that we reflect the character of Christ—all things are reconciled in Jesus. Thanks be to God.
Finally, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8). The Holy Spirit equips us with the strength and wisdom needed to navigate the complexities of life and the courage to proclaim the Gospel boldly. The Spirit's presence assures us we are never alone in our battles; God Himself is with us, guiding and empowering us.
Facing opposition is an inevitable part of the Christian journey. St. Paul wrote, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness” (Ephesians 6:12). This spiritual struggle can manifest in various forms—doubt, temptation, persecution, or societal pressures. Yet, our response is not to retreat but to advance with the confidence that God is our fortress and shield.
I cannot help but think of the life of St. Maximilian Kolbe. During World War II, Kolbe, a Franciscan friar, was imprisoned in Auschwitz. When a fellow prisoner was selected for execution, Kolbe volunteered to take his place. His act of selfless love and his unwavering faith in the face of death exemplified the power of the weapons Jesus gives us. Kolbe’s courage, born of faith, love, and the Holy Spirit, became a profound testimony to the Gospel’s transformative power.
In our everyday lives, we may not face the dramatic circumstances of a concentration camp, but we encounter our own battles—moral dilemmas, moments of fear, opportunities to witness to our faith. It is in these moments that we are called to take up our spiritual arms. When we respond with faith, love, and reliance on the Holy Spirit, we proclaim the Gospel not only in words but through our actions.
We can draw practical applications from these truths. Start each day with a prayer of surrender, asking God to strengthen your faith and fill you with His love. When faced with challenges, reflect on God’s past faithfulness in your life as a source of encouragement. Engage in regular reading of the Scriptures to deepen your understanding of God’s promises. Surround yourself with a community of believers who can support and pray with you. And above all, remain open to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, trusting that He will equip you for every good work.
As we embrace the call to courage, let us remember the words of Psalm 18. God is our rock and fortress. With Him, we can face any opposition. He is our shield and the horn of our salvation.
A Prayer of Surrender
