Brave Love

Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread.

Today's reading titled, Brave Love, was written by Patricia Rabin. The four chaplains weren't known as heroes, but on a frigid February night in 1943 when their transport ship, the SS Dorchester, was torpedoed off the coast of Greenland. During World War II, the four gave their all to calm hundreds of panicked soldiers. With the ship sinking and injured men jumping for overcrowded lifeboats, the four chaplains calmed the pandemonium by preaching courage, a survivor said.

When life jackets ran out, each took his off, giving it to a frightened young man. They had determined to go down with the ship so that others might live. Said one survivor, it was the finest thing I have seen or hoped to see, this side of heaven. Linking arms as the ship began to sink, the chaplains prayed aloud together, offering encouragement to those perishing with them.

Bravery marks their saga. Love, however, defines the gift the four offered. Paul urged such love of all believers, including those in the storm-tossed church at Corinth. Roiled by conflict, corruption, and sin, Paul urged them in 1 Corinthians chapter 16 to be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong.

Then he added, do everything in love. It's a sterling command for every believer in Jesus, especially during a crisis. In life, when upheaval threatens, our bravest response reflects Christ giving to others his love.

Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from 1 Corinthians chapter 1, verses 10 through 14. When Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am. No one then should treat him with contempt, send him on his way in peace so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers. Now about our brother Apollos, I strongly urge him to go to you with the brothers.

He was quite unwilling to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity. Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong, do everything in love. Let's pray. Lord Jesus, when we don't feel brave, give us uncommon courage to remain faithful to you and continue to love as you love us. Regardless of our circumstances, help us to remember that you have us in your hand and that you will carry us through any storm. Thank you, Lord. It's in your name, Jesus, we pray. Amen. Today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.