Devotional Gems by Jolene
Created for Bible Study for Kids
Dare Devil
DAREDEVILEzra 10:4
By J.D. Griffith
"I dare you!" A schoolmate yells in your face. You feel stupid,
humiliated, scared. Am I a wimp? you think. The seconds tick
away, kids gather around, watching. Out of desperation, you jump.
You land safely away from the rocks in deep frigid water. You surface
sputtering with cold, eager to get on shore. WHEW! That really
took nerve, you admit to yourself.
But you jumped, You landed safely. You challenged yourself. You
proved to the spectators that you aren't a wimp. Sometimes acting on a
dare works out well, sometimes it doesn't. What's the difference?
Consider the motive and the challenger. Is the challenger your friend—is
the motive in your best interest? God often challenges His children to take
risks. They frequently seem ridiculous, like accepting a kid’s dare. But the
Bible is full of God’s dares for His beloved children to take risks. He
guarantees success and is the best safety net anyone could want. God never
promises us smooth sailing; He promises us a safe landing. God never fails,
He never lies. He always has our best interest as His motive.
I call Ezra’s passage in 10:4, my “10-4” answer to God’s challenges. In CB
radio, or HAM radio speak, 10-4 means OK. Thumbs-up. “Be of courage and do
it!” When God offers His children a challenge, not taking the risk means
disobedience. That’s a dare we daren’t refuse.
Noah built an ark when his neighbors jeered, “What’s rain”? He survived
the flood; they all drowned. (Genesis 6:13-8:12). Abraham took God’s
dare and left his native country. He had no idea where he was going, but
God dared him to go to a “land He would show you”. (Genesis 12:1). Moses
courageously agreed to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. (Exodus 3).
Where did David get the courage to battle the giant Goliath? (1Samuel
17:49-50). Daniel’s buddies Shadrach, Meshach and Abendego walked out of
a fiery furnace. (Daniel 3). Jonah ran away from God’s call, and was
swallowed by a fish. (Jonah 1-3). Peter walked on water. (Matthew
14:29).
Jonah learned what happens in not accepting God’s dare. It isn’t as
risky as he thought, compared to disobedience. What is
God daring you to do?
Take Home Nugget
Changing your life takes courage. Leaving comfort zones for what seems
risky (to humans) feels ridiculous. When stepping out onto the water,
prayer is our first port of call. “Man was not made for safe harbors.” A
friend is fond of saying to me upon leaving, “Take risks.” Instead of
the usual, “Take care.”
J.D. Griffith
“Lord, renew us even as we grow old.
Give us a zest for life and make us bold.”
Fred Bauer
