If You're Looking for Inspiration to be Brave in this World Look Here

I’ve known some pretty brave women in my day.

I’m sure you have, too.

The renown of certain women from ancient eras, whose God-ignited courage blazed so brightly, shines still.

Paying them a regular visit in the Bible’s pages ignites the soul. So, let’s.

In times of crisis and injustice, God raised up and equipped women of honor to heroism. Many times.

They led the charge for righteousness. God’s righteousness.

The first of such women who comes to mind is Jehosheba.

Jehosheba’s story is found in 2 Chronicles 22. She was the daughter of a king and the wife of a priest. When King Ahaziah of Judah was murdered, she saved his son, Joash, until he could accede to the throne. She hid her 7-year-old nephew, along with his nurse, at the temple for six years.

The midwife duo of Shiphrah and Puah of Exodus 1 are the epitome of righteous courage. What made them so? They “feared God more than Pharaoh.” That’s the right kind of fear! It drove them to spare the lives of newborn boys. And it gave them the shrewdness needed to answer a demented king. The number of innocent newborns is not recorded, but we do know their actions subsequently spared the life of God’s chosen deliverer of His people, Moses.

God blessed these women. He blessed them to act justly. And He blessed them with families of their own (Exodus 1:21).

Their virtue was contagious—for it was also exhibited in Moses’ mother and sister, Jochebed and Miriam. Even though Miriam was but a child herself, she found courage to address the princess of Egypt regarding her baby brother (Exodus 2:7).

Fast-forward to the time of the Judges, where the Bible uncovers more women of valor. There was Jael (Judges 4:128ff). She combined her courage with cleverness when she defeated Sisera by luring him into her tent.

When we visit Judges 4-5, we also read of Deborah, who was a wise prophet, judge, and magistrate of God’s in Israel. Her judgeship was in a league far above that of Gideon and Samson regarding integrity.

And what of Rahab, who denied hiding the Hebrew spies (Joshua 2), and Abigail, who faced David and his army with pleas to act justly (1 Samuel 25), and Esther, who convinced the king to reverse an edict of genocide, and loyal Ruth?

When the extraordinary came knocking they answered with extraordinary faith. They rose to God’s calling and defied the norm. And because they did, those extraordinary God-moments were pivotal in His plan toward raising up His ultimate Deliverer.

The actions of these women (and many others) honored God. He used them to bring about good outcomes, which also altered the course of history.

As their choices mattered, so do ours.

God is still on His throne. And women with such extraordinary hearts for Him are still needed.

Visiting their stories often bolsters such God-confidence and selflessness to inspire and inform. And isn’t that just what this world needs?

It also opens the door to our hearts to allow God to use His Word as an instrument. An instrument to swell the Spirit to act with boldness. Not the proud, obnoxious sort of boldness, though. And an instrument for blessing others who need to see the amazing hand of God at work for the sake of justice and mercy.

Women in our day can certainly be inspired by visiting their stories often to administer God’s grace and also affect history.