Time Magazine recently published its list of the 25 most influential
evangelicals in America, a group that included Billy Graham, Focus on
the Family founder James Dobson, "Purpose-Driven Life" author Rick
Warren and Potter's House pastor T.D. Jakes. Excluding the obvious
figures -- Jesus, Muhammad, Buddha, etc. -- what religious figure has
been most influential in your life?
It is told that Satan once decided to retire and sell all his
diabolical devices. On the day of the sale, all his tools were put on
display, each with a price tag. One rather plain-looking and
much-worn tool was priced considerably higher than the others. The
devil was asked what it was.
"That's discouragement," he said. "It is more useful to me than
all the others. It is greatly worn, because it is my favorite tool. I
have used it on everybody, yet few know that it belongs to me."
According to the fable, the Devil's price for discouragement was
so high that no one bought it. And he is still using it.
I recall this parable as I think of an inspirational Biblical
figure, Nachshon, Prince of the Tribe of Judah. The Children of
Israel were trapped between the Sea in front of them and Pharoah's
chariots in hot pursuit from behind. Moses tried to persuade the
people that they would indeed be free on that day, despite the
obstacles that thwarted their forward march. His efforts were in vain
as the people wept and wailed that they were doomed to perish.
The situation was not hopeless; only the people were without hope.
Discouragement had defeated them. Without hope for the future, they
had no power in the present. When they lost hope, they lost heart.
They could not achieve because they did not believe.
The children of Israel stood trembling by the shores of the Red
Sea, paralyzed by discouragement, even though God commanded them to
go forward. The Jewish tradition teaches that one man, Nachshon, did
not hesitate to carry out God's directive. He sprang forward into the
raging waters, but nothing happened.
Nachshon was not taken aback. He descended deeper into the water,
up to his ankles, knees, stomach, and still the waters did not part.
Nachshon did not flinch and resolutely continued until the water
reached his neck. At that moment, when he was about to take the
ultimate risk to obey God's command, the miracle of the splitting of
the sea occurred.
The lesson is clear. God demands maximal effort, for it is only
through actual deeds where one's faith is tested.
Was Nachshon's faith put to the test when he prayed on the
