When we read of the great men of old (the mighty and the strong, the courageous, the faithful, those who slew thousands and ten thousands), perhaps we also think of phrases like "faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings with a single bound."
In admiring their feats, we tend to think of these men as super human, almost supernatural, and 'nearly impossible to follow' while missing their weakness and how God brought them to places of such courage and faith.
If you have ever found yourself in a series of lessons where you hang on to God because there is nothing else to hang on to, and He gives you sweet promises like this ("When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee: and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee," Isaiah 43:2), then there is nothing left to do but hang on, drown, or get burned. That is how God's chosen become courageous.
If you are experiencing anything like this then, consider than you might have been chosen for special services, too, and welcome the lessons; Isaiah 43:10.
One step at a time you will come to "know" God with your whole heart, "believe" Him with your whole life, and "understand" with your whole being that He is all there is, all there ever really was, and all you need. You will be so consumed in His love that there will be no doubt but what God dearly loves you, He is for you, He will always be there for you, His promises are true, you can count on Him for anything everything, things will always turn out for your good, and He will always do the most loving thing possible toward you.
Only when we go through the fires and floods can we begin to walk as the great men of old. For, it is when we are weak that we learn of His strength.
In perilous times, call upon God for a
promise or word of instruction, because ...
His way is perfect;
the word of the Lord is tried:
he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.
