Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1939-07-27

Let courage rise with dangern
Such is the plea of Webb's sra.t
hymn, "Stand Up for Jesus" ChriS
tlanity in our day calls for con-
rageous men and women.
Courage should be distinguishes
from such related things as BRAVERY
valor, or bravado. Bravado is an
atfectation of reckless bravery
which surely has no place in Chris.
tan life and activity. Valor is
associated with daring and vigorous
action, for example, in battle. tn
be brave means to meet a CHALLENGE
with confidence and resolution. To
be courageous means to steadily
meet perils of which one is deeply
conscious, doing so because of the
call OF duty. Courage holds deep
er and nobler meaning than the
other words, carrying with it the
idea of moral strength and. in the
case of the Christian, faith in God
as one devoted to His cause.
Elijah was courageous, and he
stands before our Christian youth to-
day as an example of that godly
courage which
I. Works in the Open ". 3O.
Men whose deeds are evil love the
darkness rather than the light God
does not work in the dark. All of
His workings are in the open sun
light. Every one is welcome to
come near" and see what is done
Elijah knew God and he acted like
Gods man. What a tragedy it is
that not all of Gods servants have
followed his example. If we had
the open and above-board dealings
of Elijah in the affairs of our
churches, we might see more of the
fire and power of his ministry.
Certain it is that the administra-
ton of church affairs which has
to be carried out in hidden corners
by whispered conversations and by
secret manipulations behind the
scenes, is not Gods work at all, it
is the work of man.
II. Asks No Favors wv. 1885,.
Elijah rebuilt the altar himself.
He asked no help of the unbelieving
prophets of Baal or of apostate Is
rael. How old-fashioned he seems
in this day when so much stress is
laid on false unity of the faiths,
and there is so much solicitation
and acceptance by the Church Of
the help of unbelievers in financing
the supposed work of God.
Note also that Elijah invited his
enemies to make the answer to his
prayer more difficult by pouring
water on the sacrifice. This was
not an act of bravado, it was for the
purpose of demonstrating that there
was no fraud. He was willing that
the enemies of the truth should
make the demonstration more diff
ficult if that would be to Gods glory.
There is a delightful old-fashioned
flavor about that act, too, in these
days when men are frequently will
ing to compromise with unbelief and
even with sin in order that the work
of the Church may be carried on
without too much difficulty. Here
again we have an explanation Of
the lack of spiritual power in our
times.
III. Honors God, Not Man wv.
1892, $3.50.
A man of bravery wants recognl-
ton for himself, while the coura-
geous man asks only that the cause
for which he fights shall be success
full. Elijah had long since demon
strated that he was absolutely fear
less, and sought no favor or glory
(read the entire story). Now in the
tenSeness of this moment, he care
fully rebuilds the altar of the true
God ". 30), makes it testimony
of unity to divided Israel ". 81,
and he does it all in the name OF
the Lord ". 32).
His prayer wv. 36, 37) is pro-
foundly simple expression of a COM
plete faith in the true God and His
power on the part of a man who
recognized himself as being only the
divine servant. He made no plea
that God would vindicate him or his
ministry, but he did plead that the
name of the Lord should be honored
in the midst of an unbelievlng
people.
Nv. Brings Eternal Results (vV'
38, 39).
"The fire of the Lord fell" Inc
lying prophets of heathendom were
routed. Many recognized Jehovah
as the true God. While Israel dio
not long remember the lesson
learned here, the story has contn,
ued as a testimony that WIZ
strengthen the people of God as long
as time continues.