And Handwringing Is Not a Strategy

OK, tell me if this rings a bell. You’ve gathered with the flock—whether at Sunday morning church service or your weeknight small group—and someone begins bemoaning studies about declining church attendance, the rise of “nones” (people with no specific religious identity), or some other shock journalism about Christianity in America. We shake our heads and feel bad about it, and ultimately disburse, somehow content to feel good about having felt bad. Of course, we don’t like to hear bad news, especially regarding the “good news,” but disappointing information is not an endpoint; if anything, it is a launch point into action. And handwringing is not a strategy.

When the 12 spies sent out by Moses returned from the promised land with sensationalist reports of powerful opposition and fortified cities, only two—Joshua and Caleb—renounced retreat and advocated advance: “Do not be afraid of the people of the land . . . The Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them.”¹ When the entire Israelite army froze in fear of one Philistine warrior, Goliath, David alone “ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him.”² “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty,”³ announced the young shepherd to the arrogant adonis. What did all three—Joshua, Caleb, and David—share in common? To them, bad news was no reason for paralysis or retreat, but a stirring call to “the obedience that comes from faith.”⁴

Then what do we learn from these and other stalwarts, these trusting and reliable ones? To what action must we aspire?

When ministry leads you to your persecutors, like Ananias go anyway.⁵
Bullied when sharing the gospel, like Peter and John speak anyway.⁶
Before the fiercest of opposition, like Stephen stand anyway.⁷
Amid the most discouraging news, like a city on a hill shine anyway.⁸
Before your enemies who hate you, as Jesus exhorted us love anyway.⁹
Though we cannot see our God, in faith believe anyway.¹⁰
Though uncertain where God will lead us, like Abraham obey anyway.¹¹

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.—Isaiah 41:10 ESV

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.—Ephesians 6:13 ESV

Father, You are stronger and wiser than any opposition or threats that can rise up against me. Strengthen me to trust and obey You, even amid opposition, for “You are my hope; Lord God, You are my confidence.”¹² In Christ I pray. Amen.

¹ Numbers 14:9 NIV
² 1 Samuel 17:48 NIV
³ 1 Samuel 17:45 NIV
⁴ Romans 1:5 NIV
⁵ Acts 9:10-19
⁶ Acts 4:18-20
⁷ Acts 7:1-60
⁸ Matthew 5:14
⁹ Matthew 5:43-45
¹⁰ Hebrews 11:3
¹¹ Hebrews 11:8
¹² Psalm 71:5 NASB