NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART

READING: DEUTERONOMY 20:1-9

Verse 8 – “Then the officers shall speak further to the people and say, ‘What man is there who is fearful and fainthearted? Let him go and return to his house, lest the heart of his brethren faint like his heart’”

This passage of the Bible describes conditions which exempted men from combat. The conditions listed included faintheartedness. The fainthearted were sent home so they would not cause others to also become fainthearted. The Israelites were able to recognize the importance of the condition of the heart. They knew that the heart is more influential to godly success than skills or abilities. They realized that if it was not in the heart of a man to be a faithful soldier, that person could be a detriment to military success. The same principle applies to effectively serving the Lord. It takes hearts that are fully committed to the purposes of Almighty God, to carry out the work of His Kingdom. On the other hand, the fainthearted are destined for something less than what is truly God-honoring. Today may we be those who confess the following in agreement with David in Psalm 57. “My heart is steadfast O God; my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise.” That’s a thought – about God’s Word

RESPONSE

1. Do you think that you usually inspire steadfastness?

2. Will you commit to taking advantage of your next opportunity to be steadfast in a God-honoring manner?