Courage in West Memphis

Scripture:

1 Samuel 17:48 As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him.

Observation:

David was able to move faster than Goliath because David carried no heavy weapons or armor. David was an expert marksman with a sling, and as he advanced on Goliath, he stayed out of range of Goliath's huge weapons. What made David effective, however, was more than his ability with a sling; it was his courage and his faith in God. To fight like David we need David's kind of fearlessness. David had grown strong in his confidence by trusting God when he had encountered wild animals while guarding his father's sheep (1 Samuel 17:34-37). When you face towering problems, recall how God has helped you in the past. Take heart because God gives you strength. Use the skills God has already given you and move forward.

Application:

Yesterday was a tough day here in West Memphis, AR. After a routine traffic stop, two of our police officers were shot and killed, then a shoot out at our local Walmart ensued where two more policemen were shot and the two suspects killed. We are a community deeply saddened.

As I watched this unfold up close and personal (I was at the Walmart parking lot) I saw civilians running from the shooters, and our police officers running towards the shooters. They were upholding their sworn duty to protect our community and to maintain law and order. As I watched these brave men and women, my mind went immediately to our text today where David ran towards Goliath. That took courage!

Without courage you're not living, you're hiding! Courage is what moves you forward; it's the muscle that makes your faith work. Faith by itself can be nothing more than a set of beliefs. Courage is what activates those beliefs.

Courage is like oxygen, you can't survive without it. Courage is not the absence of fear, it's the conquest of it. Courage means doing it afraid - until you're no longer afraid. It means - tremble your way to confidence!

Today, I say thank you to all of our law enforcement men and women who are courageous and unsung heroes!

Also, my prayer is with the families of the killed police officers and the injured ones as well. I pray the following verse over them:

Psa 34:18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Prayer:

"Lord, thank You for the example of David running towards Goliath. He exemplified what courage is all about. I also thank You for our local law enforcement men and women. What courageous warriors they are. They are my heroes. I ask You today to supernaturally comfort the Evans and Paudert families. May they sense unexplainable peace in the days, weeks and months ahead. Also, minister to the Wren and Busby families. I thank You for their courage and may we as a community determine to appreciate our police officers more than ever before and to hold them up in prayer daily. In Jesus name, amen!"