Epistle Reading: Matthew 20:17-19, Mark 10:32-34

Gospel Reading: Matthew 26:51-53, 27:11-14

This is true for us as well. For Jesus tells us to pray without ceasing (1st Thessalonians 5:17). We must be strong and courages when we face opposition or hardships for GOD is always with us. In Joshua 1:5, we are told that no man shall stand against us as long as we live because GOD is always protecting us and watching over us. 

2nd Chronicles 15:8 speaks of how we should have courage to do what is right and just. The passage speaks against idols and idol worshiper. Oded, a prophet, called by GOD to speak against the idols gave a man named Asa courage to stand against the common customs. And as such, Asa put away all the false idols. He went against the grain of the society and faced the redicule and scorn of others who had not heeded the word of the phrophet. For the LORD tells Asa that he will be rewarded for his courage. Verse 13 of the same passage tells us that those who simply follow the flow of the river rather than standing fast for what GOD commanded will be destroyed or put to death.

GOD calls each of us to His fold for a reason. We must be couragous in our labours to GOD. Though we may not understand why a given illness or problem has befallen us, it is important to remember that GOD is always with us and will help us through any adversity.

Our society is filled with situations whereby we must take a stand: either to follow the mainstream of society or to go against it and follow GOD. Our children face this problem each day as they grow. Where our schools are litered with drugs and extreme pressure from others to use them. They have to choose wheather to use tham and pay the penalitys of addiction, and possibility death, or to not use then and be rediculed by their peers and alienated. 

There is only one answer that should be given - no. Unfortunately though this is not often the case and they become victims of drug abuse. Courage is a hard hting to master and many of us may never master it. But we must try. In many cases, if we aren't couragous against the adversirties of our society, we do suffer death.

There are many examples of pressures we face in our everyday lives whereby we must have courage and conviction to follow GOD. For our second example, consider this: many women in our society are put in the position whereby they must submit themselves to their employers in order to keep their jobs. All too often, these women put up with this harrassment rather than standing against it. Many have children that they have to support and can not afford the loss of income. This volunerability is often abused by the employer and threats to the job are made. So the choice for these women who go through this is to commit adultery to keep their jobs or loose their jobs and hold fast to GOD's commandment. 

For a single mother with three children, this is certainly a difficult choice. She has to provide for those children. She wonders how she will feed them and shelter them. Fear begins to set in. She ends up submitting to the will of her employer for the sake of her children. This is where one needs courage in GOD. Courage to know that GOD will provide for her children and see that they have what the need. 

Jesus also had to have courage in GOD, His Father. In Matthew 20:18-19, Jesus knerw ahead of time he was going to be cruxified. He tells His disiples how He will be betrayed and how He will be condemned to die. Such forehand knowledge would certainly terrorify the strongest of men. Ask yourself this, what would you do if you knew you were going to die an a few short days? Jesus took courage in His Father and continued to preache the will of His Father until they came for Him.

Once the Romans finally arrested Jesus and brought Him before Pilate, we learn in Matthew 27:11-14 that Jesus says nothing against the lies and vicious words of the pharasisees. But rather, He stood strong with courage that His Father would see him through the troubled waters and false accusations. Pilate marvels are Jesus' silernce to these accusations.

The courage Jesus showed and had in His Father is the same undaunting courage we must strive to follow. GOD will take care of us and see us through any adversity. All we must do is simply have courage in Him.

Let us call upon the LORD thy GOD

We beseech you our LORD in Heaven that we may be as courages as you in the light of adversity. May we always stand fast and strong to thy commandements. Grant us, Heavenly Father, the courage to face the adversities of our world and to always follow your devine will. 

AMEN.