WATCHWORD:
Be courageous! Let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. May the Lord’s will be done.” 2 Samuel 10:12
Then even the bravest soldiers, though they have the heart of a lion, will be paralyzed with fear. For all Israel knows what a mighty warrior your father is and how courageous his men are.2 Samuel 17:10
Be courageous! Let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. May the Lord’s will be done.” 1 Chronicles 19:13
Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord. Psalm 27:14
Meditation:
This is not a political statement, this is our lives. So, in light of the recent attempt to desecrate our nation, and undermine our democracy, let me offer this from The Sportlight by Grantland Rice:
The Trainers
My name is Trouble—I’m a busy bloke.
I am the test of Courage—and of class.
I find that coward to a bitter yoke,
I drive the craven from the crowning pass;
Weaklings I crush before they come to fame;
But as the red star guides across the night,
I trained the stalwart for a better game;
I drive the brave into a harder fight.
My name is Hard Luck—the wrecker of rare dreams.
I follow all who seek the open fray;
I am the shadow where the far light gleams
For those who seek to know the open way;
Quitters I break before they reached the crest,
But where the red field echoes with the drums,
I build the fighter for the final test
And mold the brave for any drive that comes.
My name is Sorrow—I shall come to all
To block this surfeit, of an endless joy;
Along the Sable Road I pay my call
Before the sweetness of success and cloy;
And weaker souls shall weep among the throng
And fall before me, broken and dismayed;
But braver hearts shall know that I belong
And take me in, serene and unafraid.
My name’s Defeat—but through the bitter fight,
To those who know, I’m something more than friend;
For I can build beyond the wrath of might
And drive away all yellow from the blend;
For those who quit, I am the final blow,
But for the brave who seek their chance to learn,
I show the way, at last, beyond the foe,
To where the scarlet flames of triumph burn.
May God bless these United States of America, the envy of the world. Amen.
Bulletin Board:
It’s hard to believe that I have been writing these Watchwords since the “temporary shutdown” of announced mid-March — but Tuesday’s Watchword was No. 240. The original thought was just to provide a bit of support and encouragement to a men’s Bible study group, but it has grown beyond that. And it was very gratifying to learn that some of the thoughts and meditations I have been inspired to offer have a measure of comfort and hope. And so, I want to share few of those Watchwords that many of you, as well as myself, would consider favorites: bosworth30.com/watchwords/favorites/ Feel free to download, print, and pass them on. Thank you for your feedback. Stan Escott
Closing Prayer:
Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
Dear Lord, let us know who You are and act like we belong to You. Jesus said that by our unity—the unity of those who belong to God—people will know that the gospel is true. Help us to act like You. Transform us so that we become like You. Teach us Your wisdom and kindness, generosity and compassion, empathy and love. Transform us so that we can transform the communities we live in.
Let us be the light—Your light, Lord. Let us shine brightly in all that we do. Let people throughout the world know that You are real by the love they see in our actions. Because You are love, Lord, and Your love changes us. Help us model that kind of love and forgiveness and kindness so that when people see us, we point them right to You. And help us remember that grace isn’t exclusive—it’s available to all.
Lord, it’s in Your name we pray. Amen.
