^{“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).}

This verse is so familiar that sometimes we quote it without giving it real thought: “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). But when these words can be spoken in true sincerity of heart, they mark the difference between an egocentric and a Christ-centered life.

When many of us think of courage, we envision great acts of faith—like David as a teenage shepherd going up against Goliath.

But there is another kind of courage that we don’t often recognize, and that is the courage to persevere in ongoing seasons of difficulty or discouragement. David exercised this kind of courage too. It’s recorded in 1 Samuel 30 as he faced the lowest moment of his life up to that point.

I am just a biblical counselor.” I have heard this statement made time and again. For some reason, biblical counselors at times feel inferior to their secular counterparts.

We need not feel this way. Rather, we have every reason to be courageous in our counseling, for we approach situations with the incredible resource of the powerful, sufficient, authoritative Word of God.

The Library of Congress has a small box labeled “Contents of the President’s Pockets on the Night of April 14, 1865.” This was the day Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. Inside the box is an embroidered handkerchief, a pocket knife, eyeglasses, and the president’s wallet. His wallet contained a $5 Confederate bill and, oddly enough, several newspaper articles reporting his great deeds.

It was 1792, and world evangelism was barely on the radar of Baptist churches in England.

Out of nowhere, at one of the most critical times in Israel’s history, an unknown prophet steps onto the world stage and courageously halts a wicked culture in its tracks. Up until 1 Kings 17, Elijah is unknown to the Bible reader. Suddenly, and with no pompous introduction, we read:

"And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, 'As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these many years, but according to my word.'"
(1 Kings 17:1)