True Grit

True Grit and Courage

Scripture Reading: Daniel 3:17-18

One of my all-time favorite western movies is True Grit (1969) starring John Wayne, Glen Campbell, and Kim Darby.

     Teenager, Mattie Ross (Kim Darby) recruits a one-eyed, mean, drunken deputy marshal (John Wayne) because he has “grit” and a reputation for getting the job done, to help her find Tom Chaney who murdered her father and bring him to justice. The two are joined by Texas Ranger (Glen Campbell) who wants to find the same man and take him back to Texas for a similar crime. As the story unfolds, we see Mattie’s determination, courage, and stubbornness to see that justice is done. She reveals a level of “grit” that is equal to the reputation of Rooster Cogburn himself.

     The resolve of fourteen year old Mattie Ross is an example of the grit and courage shown by three young Hebrew teenagers, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, while facing the blazing fiery furnace of Nebuchadnezzar. They stood their ground in total reliance upon God as the king raged and threatened to throw them into the furnace of fire.

     The Bible uses a synonym for the kind of faith and courage exhibited by the three Hebrew youths. It is the word “rely” as used by Hanani, the Seer, the prophet Isaiah, and the Apostle Paul.

     Hanani the Seer reminded King Asa, “Don’t you remember what happened to the Ethiopians and Libyans and their vast army, with all of their chariots and horsemen? At that time you relied on the Lord, and he handed them all over to you.” (2 Chron. 16:8 NLT)

     Isaiah said, “Who among you fears the Lord and obeys his servant? If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the Lord and rely on your God.” (Isa. 50:10 NLT)

     The Apostle Paul explained why troubles come to us—“that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raised the dead.” (2 Cor. 1:9 NIV)

     Upon what or whom are you relying on today? Is your grit and courage firmly established on an eternal person, plan, promise, and place? We can rely upon the promises of God because he cannot lie. When we rely upon the Lord, we must trust his plan to be perfect for us. (Jer. 29:11) Our God has specific promises that are especially designed to meet our needs. Search out the word of God and find that promise, and claim it for your own. Finally, God is preparing a special place for each of us.

     Isn’t it time that we as believers in Christ stand up for the truth and show some TRUE GRIT?