Finding the Courage of Our Convictions (Part 2) - Damon J. Gray
Jesus walked with an abundance of resolve. In contrast to today’s politician, neck-deep in analysis, polling and strategizing, and even a fair segment of the Christian leaders of our day, Jesus was not one to stick his wet finger into the air with the goal of determining his direction.
Jesus did not test-market his theology or methodology to see what played well with the masses. Jesus knew who he was, knew what was true, and knew where he was going. I read once that, “Jesus acted like he was backed by armies of angels.” I assert that Jesus was not acting at all. He was backed by armies of angels, and he knew this to be true.
Many years before Jesus walked among us, the prophet Elisha enraged Benhadad, king of Aram, by repeatedly informing Jehoram, king of Israel, of the Arameans’ troop movements. So frequent and so accurate were Elisha’s reports that Benhadad believed he had a traitor in his own ranks, one who was informing the Israelites of his plans.
One of the servants of Benhadad corrected the king’s perception, explaining to him …
No, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom. – 2 Kings 6:12, NASB
Elisha lived in the city of Dothan, the city where the sons of Jacob kept their sheep, and where they sold their brother Joseph into slavery with the Ishmaelite merchants. When Benhadad learned that Elisha was living in Dothan, he sent horses and chariots and a substantial army there to capture him.
Benhadad’s army surrounded the city of Dothan, and when Elisha’s servant Gehazi saw this, he was terrified. Elisha, on the other hand seemed relatively unconcerned, because Elisha knew what Jesus knew, and what we need to know. We are backed by armies of angels!
Then Elisha prayed and said, ‘O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.’ And the LORD opened the servant’s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. – 2 Kings 6:17, NASB
Never lose sight of this truth:
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. – Ephesians 6:12, NASB
The confidence of Elisha is the same confidence that emanated from Jesus as he cared little about the politically or religiously expedient path he could walk, and cared deeply about doing what is right regardless of the consequences. The Jews from Judea had sought to stone Jesus, yet he chose to go to Judea anyway.
Jesus stood boldly against those who came to him in the garden over the Kidron Valley. They had come to capture him and ultimately put him to death, yet Jesus, knowing this to be true, stood toe-to-toe with them and did not shrink back from what awaited him.
So Jesus, knowing all the things that were coming upon Him, went forth and said to them, ‘Whom do you seek?’ They answered Him, ‘Jesus the Nazarene.’ He said to them, ‘I am.’ – John 18:4-5a, NASB
Know and understand who you are, whose you are, where you stand, and who stands with you.
