Embracing Divine Courage and Hope in Adversity

Courage is not just a human trait; it is a divine force that God imparts to those who trust Him. Life inevitably brings challenges—moments of loss, disappointment, and even despair—but God’s desire is to anchor us in hope, not to leave us adrift in our circumstances. The call is to “fight on, fighter,” not in our own strength, but with the courage and hope that comes from the gospel. This hope is not wishful thinking; it is a steadfast, unbreakable anchor for our souls, rooted in the finished work of Jesus. When we are tempted to give up, to become passive, or to accept defeat, God invites us to draw from His courage and to refuse to be moved away from the hope of the gospel.

Passivity is a subtle enemy. It creeps in when we are weary, hurt, or disappointed, tempting us to do nothing and to accept less than God’s best. But to be passive is to abandon the territories God has entrusted to us—our hearts, our families, our callings. Passivity leads to compromise, and compromise erodes the very foundation of our faith. Instead, God calls us to be active, to stand up for what is right, and to fight the good fight of faith. This is not a fight against people, but against the spiritual forces that seek to steal our hope, our joy, and our purpose.

The story of David in 1 Samuel 30 is a powerful example. Even in the ashes of loss and betrayal, David encouraged himself in the Lord, sought God’s direction, and received a promise: “Pursue, overtake, and recover all.” This is the pattern for us—when life knocks us down, we don’t stay down. We seek God, renew our hope, and move forward with determination. The hope of the gospel is not just for eternity; it is for the land of the living, for today’s battles and today’s victories.

There are three eternal forces God has given us: faith, hope, and love. Each requires courage to activate. Hope, in particular, is a joyful, confident expectation of a God-favored outcome, based on His Word. It is not limited by human reasoning or circumstances. Even when life feels hopeless, God can give us a new vision, a new picture on the inside, and a new future. The testimony of Ben Peterson, a veteran who found hope and purpose after trauma, reminds us that God can restore, heal, and use anyone who simply says, “Yes, I can believe that.” No matter how dark things seem, there is always a greater picture with God. Don’t be passive—choose hope, choose courage, and make a difference.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Hope of the Gospel Is an Anchor God’s hope is not a fleeting feeling but a steadfast anchor for our souls. When our minds are scattered and our emotions unstable, the hope of the gospel grounds us, keeping us from being swept away by despair. This hope is rooted in the certainty of Christ’s finished work and His presence with us, even in the darkest valleys. To remain unmoved from this hope is to remain anchored in God’s unchanging promises. [07:59]
• 2. Passivity Is a Subtle but Dangerous Enemy Passivity often enters our lives unnoticed, especially when we are tired or wounded. It tempts us to do nothing, to accept defeat, and to abandon the fight for what is right. This attitude opens the door to compromise and ultimately leads us away from God’s best. True spiritual courage requires us to recognize and reject passivity, choosing instead to actively pursue God’s purposes in every area of our lives. [16:45]
• 3. Determination in the Face of Adversity David’s response to devastating loss was not to give in to despair, but to encourage himself in the Lord and seek God’s direction. Even when surrounded by ashes and threats, he chose determination over resignation. God’s answer was not just comfort, but a call to action: pursue, overtake, and recover all. This pattern teaches us that God’s plan always includes restoration and victory, but it requires our active participation and trust. [22:55]
• 4. The Power of God’s Kind of Hope There is a difference between natural hope and the God kind of hope. Natural hope is limited by circumstances and human reasoning, but God’s hope is a joyful, confident expectation of a favorable outcome based on His Word. This hope transforms our inner picture, enabling us to see ourselves and our future through God’s eyes, not through the lens of failure or limitation. Embracing this hope empowers us to overcome even the most persistent challenges. [41:11]
• 5. Your “Yes” to God Can Change Everything The story of Ben Peterson illustrates that even in the depths of trauma and hopelessness, a simple “yes” to God can open the door to healing, restoration, and new purpose. God does not wait for us to be perfect; He meets us in our brokenness and gives us a new vision for our lives. When we choose to believe, even in the smallest way, God can use us to make a difference far beyond what we imagined. [64:18]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [02:28] - The Call to Courage
• [04:46] - Anchored in the Hope of the Gospel
• [07:59] - The Danger of Losing Hope
• [10:12] - The Subtlety of Passivity
• [13:06] - Passivity vs. Active Faith
• [15:51] - The Seeds and Consequences of Passivity
• [16:45] - Passivity: The Enemy’s Deceptive Tool
• [19:00] - David’s Example: Encouraging Yourself in God
• [22:55] - God’s Plan: Pursue, Overcome, Recover All
• [25:30] - Passivity, Compromise, and Spiritual Authority
• [28:32] - Called to Make a Difference
• [31:21] - No Neutral Ground: The Fight of Faith
• [35:45] - Faith, Hope, and Love: The Forces for Victory
• [41:11] - The God Kind of Hope
• [44:37] - David’s Hope in the Land of the Living
• [46:26] - Honoring Those Who Fought for Freedom
• [51:29] - The Cost of War and the Power of Testimony
• [53:25] - Ben Peterson’s Story: From Darkness to Destiny
• [64:18] - Saying Yes to God: A New Vision
• [67:12] - Taking Hope to the World

Bible Reading

Colossians 1:23 (ESV) — “…if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.”

Hebrews 6:19-20 (ESV) — “We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”

1 Samuel 30:1-8 (ESV) — (Story of David at Ziklag: David’s family and possessions are taken, his men are ready to stone him, but David “strengthened himself in the Lord his God” and seeks God’s direction.)

Observation Questions

1. In Colossians 1:23, what does Paul say we must not be moved away from? What does this imply about the possibility of losing hope?
2. According to Hebrews 6:19, what is hope described as, and what does it do for our souls?
3. In the story of David in 1 Samuel 30, what was David’s first response after experiencing devastating loss? ([19:00])
4. The sermon describes passivity as a “subtle enemy.” What are some ways passivity can show up in our lives, according to the message? ([15:51])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Paul warns believers not to be “moved away from the hope of the gospel”? What are some things that can cause us to drift from this hope? ([04:46])
2. The sermon says that hope is “a steadfast, unbreakable anchor for our souls, rooted in the finished work of Jesus.” How does this kind of hope differ from wishful thinking or optimism? ([07:59])
3. When David “encouraged himself in the Lord” (1 Samuel 30), what does that look like practically? Why is this step important before taking action? ([19:00])
4. The message says that passivity leads to compromise, and compromise erodes the foundation of our faith. Why is passivity so dangerous to our spiritual lives? ([25:30])

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenges us to “fight on, fighter”—not in our own strength, but with God’s courage. Is there an area in your life right now where you feel tempted to give up or become passive? What would it look like to “fight on” in that area with God’s help? ([02:28])
2. Passivity is described as “doing nothing when you know to do something right.” Can you identify a specific situation where you’ve been passive—maybe in your family, your faith, or your calling? What is one step you could take this week to be active instead? ([13:06])
3. David’s story in 1 Samuel 30 shows him seeking God’s direction in the middle of loss. When you face disappointment or setbacks, what is your first response? How can you practice “encouraging yourself in the Lord” before reacting? ([22:55])
4. The message says that hope is “a joyful, confident expectation of a God-favored outcome, based on His Word.” Is there a situation in your life where you need to replace natural hope (based on circumstances) with God’s kind of hope? What promise from God’s Word can you hold onto? ([41:11])
5. The testimony of Ben Peterson shows that saying “yes” to God, even in brokenness, can open the door to healing and new purpose. Is there an area where you need to say “yes” to God, even if you don’t feel ready or strong? What might that “yes” look like for you? ([01:04:18])
6. The sermon warns that passivity can open the door to compromise. Are there any compromises you’ve made because you stopped fighting for what is right? What would it look like to reclaim that territory in your life? ([25:30])
7. The message ends by reminding us that hope is not just for eternity, but for “the land of the living”—for today’s battles and victories. How can you bring hope to someone else this week, in a practical way? ([44:37])