As the aircraft door slid open, the three passengers dove out into space, free-falling for more than two miles before opening their parachutes. The thrill was exhilarating as they floated through the air like an eagle diving toward its prey. 

Think of another thrill. As the heavy wooden gate swung open, the 2400 pounds of angry Brahma bull exploded out of the rodeo chute. The young rider hung on with all his might in a frantic effort to remain seated until the eight-second buzzer sounded. 

Few of us would deny that such activities require a great deal of courage, but hopefully we would also recognize it as a very foolish courage. Such self-centered entertainment seriously risks life and limb and benefits no one. It is simply for the foolish prospect of a fleeting thrill and the possible admiration of equally foolish friends. 

Another kind of courage would be exemplified by a person who risks his life to save someone in serious mortal danger, such as a drowning swimmer or a person trapped in a burning building or car. Human life is a precious gift from God and to selflessly hazard our own life for the benefit of another is certainly commendable.  

A third type of courage is divine courage, emanating from God Himself. This courage has enabled generations of men and women to willingly forsake everything, even life itself, to faithfully serve Him. Only when fortified with this divine courage are we fully prepared to overcome our natural fears of ridicule, persecution, injury, imprisonment, or death. 

If fear of man hinders us from faithfully living and witnessing for Jesus, let us take divine courage from the example of Peter and John. When these godly men were ordered “not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus,” they replied, “We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:18, 20). 

Perfect love casteth out fear. 1 John 4:18 

~ Pete Lewis