Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope

Joni Eareckson Tada: Welcome to Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope. Have you heard of the devotional book called Springs in the Valley? I have a couple of favorite books that I use for morning devotions with the girls who get me up in my wheelchair every day, and I came across this wonderful thought from Springs in the Valley by Letti Cowman and I wanted to share it with you.

She talks about this: In a fierce war, in a brutal battle against a strong enemy, nothing can at once be more frightening, yet at the same time more stirring to the soul, than to hear a commanding officer shout to his troops, "Move to the front!" At once the soldier is gripped with fear, and you'd probably feel the same, right? Death and danger are on the front lines. People get killed there and seriously wounded.

But if that soldier pushes aside fear and rallies his senses, if he remembers his calling, if he remembers why he signed up in the first place, if he looks around at his buddies in battle, he will find his courage. That soldier will obey his commander and run to where the fighting is most fierce. It’s because he’s got a commanding officer, an officer he respects, and one that he no doubt admires. He knows that that commanding officer is putting his life on the line as well. He’s taking the same risks and more.

Friend, that’s the perfect illustration of Joshua chapter 1 verse 9, where the Captain of the Lord’s army says, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Now, when facing a difficult and demanding trial, those words can either strike fear in your heart or stir your soul to take action—courageous action.

You can move to the front, friend, because you know you’ve got a commanding officer who is captain of all the angelic hosts, who is Lord of the universe, a captain who has conquered death and who turns to you and says with a smile, "Take heart." Our commander, the Lord Jesus, put His life on the line. At the cross, He took the greatest risk of all, and He won. He won for all time.

Is the enemy threatening you today? Then rally your senses. Remember the many scriptures the Holy Spirit has impressed on your heart. Christ has overcome the world, so do not let your heart be troubled there on your personal battlefield. Find your courage and move to the front. These stirring ideas are beautifully reflected in this wonderful poem by Philip Brooks.

He writes, "Move to the fore, say not another is fitter than thou. Shame to thy shrinking, up, face thy task now. Own thyself equal to all a soul may; cease thy evading, God needs thee today. Move to the fore, God himself waits, and must wait till thou come. Men are God's prophets though ages lie dumb. Halts the Christ's kingdom with conquest so near? Thou art the cause, thou soul in the rear."

That poem by Philip Brooks fills my heart with fresh vision that yes, I can be more than a conqueror today. How about it? That line, "Halts the Christ’s kingdom with conquest so near, thou art the cause, thou soul in the rear"—Lord, may it never be. Don't let me be found in the rear flanks when it comes to the heat of this cosmic battle between heaven and hell. Today, give me power to move to the fore, move to the front.

Friend listening, you are my buddy in this battle. Don't give up. Don't rush to the rear. You are not alone. Can you not rally your senses and with me, together today, let’s move to the front. For even more encouragement, be sure to visit JoniRadio.org today.