With Christ as your commander, you can find courage, face your battles, and move forward to the front with confidence.
Sign up for our e-newsletter today!
SHAUNA: Welcome to Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope. Have you heard of the devotional book called “Springs in the Valley”?
JONI: I have a couple of favorite books that I use for morning devotions with the girls who get me up in my wheelchair every day. And I came across this wonderful thought from “Springs in the Valley” by Lettie Cowman, and I wanted to share it with you. She talks about this: In a fierce war, in a brutal battle against a strong enemy, nothing can at once be more frightening – yet at the same time, more stirring to the soul – than to hear a commanding officer shout to his troops, “Move to the front!” At once, the soldier is gripped with fear. And you’d probably feel the same, right? Death and danger are on the front lines. People get killed there and seriously wounded. But if that soldier pushes aside fear and rallies his senses; if he remembers his calling; if he remembers why he signed up in the first place; if he looks around at his buddies in battle, he will find his courage.
That soldier will obey his commander and run to where the fighting is most fierce. It’s because he’s got a commanding officer, an officer he respects; and one that he no doubt admires; and he knows that that commanding officer is putting his life on the line, as well. He’s taking the same risks and more.
And friend, that’s the perfect illustration of Joshua 1:9 where the captain of the Lord’s army says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous … for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Okay, now, when facing a difficult and demanding trial, those words can either strike fear in your heart or stir your soul to take action. Courageous action. And you can move to the front, friend, because you know you’ve got a commanding officer who is captain of all the angelic hosts; who is Lord of the universe; a captain who has conquered death and who turns to you and says with a smile, “Take heart.” Our commander, the Lord Jesus, put His life on the line; at the cross He took the greatest risk of all – and He won. He won for all time. So, friend, is the enemy threatening you today? Then rally your senses. Remember the many scriptures the Holy Spirit has impressed on your heart. Christ has overcome the world, so do not let your heart be troubled there on your personal battlefield. Find your courage and move to the front. And these stirring ideas? Well, listen to this – they are beautifully reflected in this wonderful poem by Phillip Brooks. He writes:
“Move to the fore;
Say not another is fitter than thou.
Shame to thy shrinking! Up! Face thy task now.
Own thyself equal to all a soul may,
Cease thy evading – God needs thee today.
[So] move to the fore!
God Himself waits, and must wait till thou come;
Men are God’s prophets though ages lie dumb.
Halts the Christ Kingdom with conquest so near?
Thou art the cause, thou soul in the rear.
[So] move to the [front]!”
That poem by Phillip Brooks fills my heart with fresh vision that, yes, I can be more than a conqueror today, how about it? And that line, “halts the Christ Kingdom with conquest so near? Thou art the cause, thou soul in the rear.” Lord, may it never be! Don’t let me be found in the rear flanks when it comes to the heat of this cosmic battle between heaven and hell. Today, give me power to move to the fore, move to the front! And friend listening, you are my buddy in this battle. Don’t give up! Don’t rush to the rear. You are not alone. Can you not rally your senses? And with me, together today, let’s move to the front.
SHAUNA: For even more encouragement, be sure to visit joniradio.org today.
© Joni and Friends