“Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.” -Psalm 119:18
When the Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah, disobeyed the king's orders to kill all male babies, they risked their lives and delivered the male babies. (Exodus 1:17) Abigail risked her life when she directly appealed to King David who was angry and about to commit murder. Abigail encouraged David to leave vengeance to the Lord thereby protecting him. (1 Samuel 25:23-31) Queen Esther risked her life when she broke the law and approached the king on behalf of her people. (Esther 4:16)
These women exhibited tremendous courage. Why? Why did these women make decisions knowing their deeds were punishable by death? One reason was that they feared God more than they feared man. They had a relationship with God and knew His law. All of their deeds were done to protect the lives of those around them.
The Bible is full of examples of ordinary women revealing extraordinary courage. At some point in their lives, they made a critical decision to serve their Heavenly Father. They had a relationship with Him. Their “eyes were open to the wonderful truths in God's instructions.” God's instruction provides the confidence and courage to live our lives with truth and purpose.
Where do we find God's instructions? Where do we find the wisdom to make decisions for our families? For our communities? In Apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesians, he prays for spiritual understanding. “I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.” Ephesians 1:16, 17 (NLT)
We find spiritual wisdom, instruction, courage and everything else from the Bible. From His Word. Psalm 119:105 (NLT) says, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”
The more we read and study the Bible, the more equipped we are as wives, mothers, daughters, and friends. We learn to know how to pray and what to say when facing difficult circumstances. We learn what is essential to God. We learn His heart and how we can help. We can know Him intimately. God will open our eyes and ears and guide us each day.
The Apostle Paul spells it out for us. “And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. The Spirit is God's guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.” Ephesians 1:13, 14 (NLT)
We belong to Him. We have His Word. We have the Holy Spirit. We have His Promises. We have everything we need to live a life of victory and courage.
What's Next?
It is a New Year. Can I challenge you to spend time in God's Word? Will you pray that God will open your eyes to see the beautiful truths? Will you ask Him to give you ears to hear? Will you make an intimate relationship with Him a priority? Will you live a courageous life of truth and purpose?
