I often think of the prophets as hugely courageous men, people who spoke God’s word fearlessly and boldly. They have an other- worldly quality to them, a level of sanctity which appears beyond mere mortals like myself.
But the Bible is scrupulous in showing people as they really are (James 5:17) All the heroes of the faith had feet of clay, in effect. They were all human and knew fear and doubt. Elijah panicked when faced with the threat of death from Jezebel, to the extent that he asked God to let him die. (1 Kings 19) Even Samuel was wary when told by God to go and anoint a king to succeed Saul: ‘How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.’ (1 Sam 16:2) Jeremiah knew fear and insecurity; Jonah even ran away from God!
What ultimately distinguishes the prophets is not an absence of fear, but a refusal to be cowed by it. “Samuel did what the Lord said.” (1 Sam 16:4) In this one verse, we see the secret of his success. He who had spoken of the need for obedience above sacrifice (1 Sam 15:22) practised what he preached. Courage is not the absence offear, but a refusal to let fear dictate our actions.
Paul came to the Corinthians ‘in fear and trembling’ (1 Cor 2:3). Many of us feel fearful, that we lack courage. David said, “When I am afraid, I will trust in You.” (Ps 56:3) Doing what God says, even with fear and trembling, is the key to spiritual success.
