By Ricky Smith
Hugh Latimer was a bold and courageous preacher in the early 1500’s, and was an influential voice as the Reformation movement spread into England. You can research for yourself some of his statements of courage. He was willing to deal with the consequences of King Henry VIII, and did not fear punishment from the King of England. His own words support the reason. He was more fearful of the King of Kings than the King of England. When Mary Tudor later ascended to the throne and imposed her strong Catholic beliefs on the country, Hugh was arrested and tried for treason which resulted in his being burned at the stake. Even in his death, Hugh exhorted the Gospel and acknowledged the grace of God would be a light that would not be extinguished by his death.
What courage! What motivation of an example of one who fears God more than people, government, or possessions. Even at the threat of death, Hugh serves as a model for us. Similarly, we consider the midwives in Exodus 1 who feared God more than the dictatorial threat of the Pharaoh. They were not willing to abide by his command to kill innocent babies. We could go on to look at Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego. We could admire Daniel who was put in the lion’s den. You may know of modern day example of courageous men and women who would not violate Scripture in the face of a threat.
We must recognize that God is faithful. Latimer’s courage did not exempt him from death. Yet, he honored God above all. You and I have opportunities to demonstrate this courage each day. It does not require physical threat or persecution. It may be the commitment to pay our taxes, speak with integrity, keep our promises, be faithful to our spouse, resist temptation, help a neighbor in need, engage in solutions to prevent crime in our city, and more.
Each of us are daily given choices to make that demonstrate that we fear God and choose to obey Him more than fearing man. I close this week’s blog with a passage quoting Joshua:
Deuteronomy 30:11 For this commandment which I command thee this day, lit is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. 12 mIt is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? 14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.
15 See, nI have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; 16 In that I command thee this day oto love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it. 17 But if pthine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but qshalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them; 18 rI denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that sye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it. 19 sI call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that tI have set before you life and death, ublessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: 20 That thou mayest love the Lord thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and xthat thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy ylife, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land zwhich the Lord sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.