Flourish and Thrive: Courage

Hebrews 11:24-25

“By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.”

(v.24) Twb yog vim Mauxes ntseeg, 

thaum nws hlob lawm nws tsis pub tej neeg hu hais tias, 

nws yog vajntxwv Falaus tus ntxhais tus tub. 

(v.25) Nws pom zoo nrog Vajtswv haivneeg raug kev txomnyem

zoo dua li nws mus ua tej kev phem kev qias lomzem ntsuav ib nyuag ntu

Hnub no peb yauv tig los saib txog Mauxes lub neej thiab nws txojkev ntseeg ua qauv pub rau peb tau coj los siv hauv peb lub neej.

Mauxes yog ib tug tseemceeb rau ntawm Vajtswv zaj uas Nws siv mus pab tso Nws haiv-neeg tawm thaum lawv nyob tebchaws Egypt.

Today as we come together to look for ways to grow in our walk with the Lord, let us note that while Abraham’s life teaches us to step out in faith, Moses’ life teaches us to stand firm with courage in the face of fear and opposition. His story is a powerful reminder that courage is not about having all the answers, but it is about trusting the One who does have all the answers.

Hnub no peb yuav pom hais tias ntawm Mauxes lub neej sawv ruaj khov mas yog los ntawm nws txojkev uas nws mloog thiab ntseeg Vajtswv lus. Txhua lub sijhawm nws ntshai los sis nws ntsib kev tawmtsam, nws txawj tig rov nrog Vajtswv tham.

It begins in the book of Exodus 3:1-12: Moses’ journey begins in a moment of both awe and fear at the burning bush. God calls him to an unexpected mission which was to confront Pharaoh and lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. We see clearly that Moses did not reply with excitement. He was not all packed up ready to go! 

How did he respond?

Moses’ immediate reaction to what God calls him to do is deeply human—he voices his fears and shortfalls, saying, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11).

But God’s response passes right through Moses’ doubts and fears and He says: “I will be with you”. 

This is the same assurance Jesus gave in the New Testament to His disciples centuries later when He says in Matthew 28:20:“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” 

Brothers and sisters, although Jesus said this to His disciples back then, it applies to us as much today as then. You see, the courage Moses needed did not come from his own capabilities. It came from his confidence in God’s presence.

Thaum Vajtswv hu koj lawm Nws yeej tsis lam nug tias saib koj puas “haib” txaus, los yog saib koj puas muaj peevxwm txaus. Nws yeej tsis tau npaj tias koj yuav tsum muaj “degree” siab, los yog kev txawj kev ntse txaus nkaus mas Nws thiaj siv tau koj.

Consider this the next time you feel uneasy about a calling: 

When we feel overwhelmed by God’s call, we are not alone. Moses’ story shows us that God doesn’t require us to be “extraordinary”. God simply asks us for our availability.

So, are we available for Him?

Are there areas where God is calling you to step out of your comfort zone?

Perhaps God is calling you to lead in a ministry, or it could be starting a difficult conversation with someone, or maybe taking a leap of faith in your personal life. 

Ntau zaus peb tsis kam tuav dejnum hauv pawg nsteeg vim tias peb xav tias peb tsis muaj peevxwm, peb tsis ntse txaus, thiab peb tsis paub. Yog li, zoo nkaus li Mauxes, peb xav tias peb “unworthy” los tuav dejnum hauv peb pawg ntseeg. Tabsis peb yuav tsum nco hais tias Vajtswv yeej tsis hu peb los koj peb twb muaj peevxwm lawm.

Eventhough you may feel “unqualified”, “insufficient” or even “unworthy”, God’s calling is never about “your” ability…God’s calling is all about HIS ability…

Courage can only begin when we say “YES” to God. Courage can only begin when you answer with: “here I am, Lord”. Courage begins with trusting that God will provide you the strength, the resources, and the guidance you need.

You do not have to have all the answers, you just need to trust the One who does have all the answers. 

Tsis tas koj yuav tsum paub txhij paub txhua. Koj tsuas yog yuav tsum tso siab tau rau Vajtswv xwb.

If we read on in Exodus 14, we see that Moses’ courage was tested even further. He not only faced Pharaoh’s resistance, but he also faced the doubts of the Israelites.

One of the most dramatic moments came at the Red Sea. With the Egyptian army closing in and the sea before them, the Israelites were terrified, crying out in fear!

But how did Moses responded to the situation?

Let us also take note here and let his response be our response to fear.

Mose, with remarkable faith and boldness he says: 

13 “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” - Exodus 14:13-14

(v.13) Mauxes teb hais tias, Nej tsis txhob ntshai.

Nej cia li nyob twjywm ntsia saib hnub no tus TSWV

yuav pab nej li cas. Cov neeg Iyiv uas hnub no nej pom,

nej yuav tsis pom ib zaug ntxiv li lawm.

(v.14) Tus TSWV yuav tuaj nej tog tawmtsam yeebncuab, nej cia li nyob twjywm xwb mog.

If you are wondering how we can stand firm in our circumstances, for us today, standing firm might mean holding onto God’s truth in a culture that pressures us to compromise. It might mean leading our families or churches through seasons of uncertainty, trusting that God will make a way where there seems to be no way.

So, think about this one for a moment. In your life, what challenges are you facing right now where God is calling you to stand firm?

Through Moses’ obedience and courage, the Israelites experienced freedom from slavery. They entered into a covenant relationship with the Lord.

This was the legacy of deliverance he left for the people of God. 

Vim tias Mauxes mloog Vajtswv lus, nws yog koobhmoov rau Vajtswv haiv neeg.

But this was not just about Moses—it was about God working through him to bless an entire nation!

Courage impacts future generations to come.

What legacy are you leaving through your acts of courage? 

In your life, acts of courage—whether it is raising children to know God, serving your community, or standing for truth—can have a ripple effect far beyond what you could ever imagine. Your courage today could inspire someone to take their own leap of faith tomorrow.

Yog li ne cov kwvtij phoojywg sawvdaws, Vajtswv tabtom hu koj li cas?

Nws tabtom hu koj kom koj ua siab tawv qhawv rau yam dabtsis?

Nws tabtom hu koj kom koj txhob ntshai los yog txhawj rau dabtsis?

Where is God calling you to be courageous? 

How will you leave a legacy of boldness, faith, and trust in His unfailing presence in your life?

Jesus says: …“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 

Moses’ story challenges us to lead with courage also. We are to know that God is with us every step of the way. We have seen how he responded to God’s call. He stood firm in the face of fear.

As we walk by faith, we are called to make similar choices. Faith is not passive, it is active and requires us to make decisions that reflect our trust in God's great faithfulness.

In our daily walk with the Lord, let us identify the areas where He is calling us to step forward. In all that we do, learn to trust that God’s presence will go with us just as it did with Moses. Let us learn to stand firm in your faith, even when fear or opposition arise.

Cia peb sawvdaws nco ntsoov sawv ruaj khov rau peb txoj kev ntseeg thiab khaws Vajtswv tej lus Nws tau cog cia rau peb.

Remember to lean onto God and draw strength from His promises, remembering that He is our refuge and strength in times of trouble.

One In Christ - Pastor Vameng Pha

February 16, 2025