Integrity is Not for Cowards

Stories of Courage

“Beyond Nature” by Myra Alibrando

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Before reading the devotional, ponder this nature insight for 99 seconds.

The Wrong Thing with Integrity

My wife asked how a person could do the wrong thing with integrity, as I mentioned in a previous devotional. That's a great question.

Integrity is such a valuable quality that even God admires it in those who do not serve Him. I will give you two examples:

Moses

Moses was a Jew adopted by the Pharoah's own daughter. Around 40 years of age, he saw an Egyptian beating a Jew slave and simply killed the Egyptian. We need no explanation about whether Moses believed it was wrong for the Egyptian to do what he was doing. Moses knew it was not acceptable behavior and soon the Pharoah wanted to have Moses killed for his crime. Moses escaped to the desert where he came across some men at a well who drove away some women who also needed water for their animals. Moses watered the animals and the men let him do it. (Exodus 2 beginning verse 10). Again, Moses put himself at risk for strangers, because obviously, his behavior revealed his value. 

Conduct Exhibiting Your Conviction

God knows the majority of men might disagree with the shepherds chasing away the women, but not get involved. It takes courage to act on your convictions when there are potential consequences for doing so. This is especially true when no one is expecting your help, and no one would criticize you for not getting involved. In both of these situations with Moses, far more would criticize his "foolishness" for taking risks to uphold his personal values or defending strangers. 

God Wanted Moses more than Moses Wanted God

Forty years later, after the Pharoah who sought to kill Moses had died, God recruits Moses, who is not interested in the job. Why did God choose Moses? What did God see in this man that was so valuable, that He would seek Moses for this huge plan of God's? 

Moses did not know God when he heard God's voice coming from the burning bush.

Moses insisted God choose someone else and Moses was not qualified. Moses knew that he was no one important in Egypt and that he was no one to the Jews. But obviously, Moses was important to God, and God would choose no one but Moses. 

New Career Starting at 80

Starting at age 80, Moses began leading millions of people through probably the most amazing journey in the history of man with epic miracles and displays of God's power, usually through Moses. What did Moses do to earn so much favor with God before he even knew God? 

I believe Moses had not only justice in his heart, but the courage to have integrity, just because it was the right thing to do. Integrity matches behavior with belief.

How many other men did God consider during those 40 years Moses was in the desert? Maybe many who had great values but did not walk out their inconvenient convictions. Maybe they weren't so much hypocrites as lacking courage. I speculate but suspect God had good reasons to approach, of all men, Moses.

Stephen Tells Moses' Story just before Being Killed

Just before being stoned to death, Stephen recounted the story of Moses.

Acts Chapter 7:23-38 (read Stephen’s inspiring rehash of God’s faithful dealings with Israel)

Stephen was so righteous in Jesus' eyes, that it says he saw Jesus stand, not sit, at the right hand of God. 

Those killing Stephen had someone watch their coats and such, while killing Stephen. That was a young Saul. Saul was like a valedictorian in his time. He was a great student of scripture. He loved the law and he hated Christians. Killing Christians was a good thing to Saul.

Paul When He was Saul

God was interested in this man, Saul. Like Moses, his behavior and convictions matched. Watching Saul, no one need ask "Hey Saul, what do you think of these followers of Jesus?" Saul was famously hunting them down for imprisonment. 

Like Moses, I believe Saul also attracted the attention of God with his zeal to walk his path with integrity. He loved the scripture and believed what he was doing was the right thing. To Saul, Christians were heretics, deceived, a threat to the truth. God could see Saul’s heart. 

But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.  Acts 8:3

Saul was out to destroy these followers of Christ calling themselves as belonging to "The Way"

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord. He approached the high priest and requested letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women belonging to the Way, he could bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem. Acts 8:3

Does this sound like the kind of man God would recruit to evangelize for Christ and write most of the New Testament for future generations?

Not a Burning Bush, But a Blinding Light

This time it was Jesus doing the recruiting, knowing if Saul knew Jesus was truly the Son of God that Saul would act zealously for the truth, no matter what the truth was. But it would take a lot to convince Saul, so Jesus blinded Saul with a bright light. Jesus spoke to Saul in a miraculous way asking why Saul was persecuting Him. Saul asked who he was, and Jesus answered Him.

In that brief, epic moment, Jesus commanded Saul to go to the city and wait to be told what to do next. Saul was led to Damascus remaining blind for 3 days while not eating or drinking.

Meanwhile, God is telling a believer named Ananias that he gave Saul a vision of someone named "Ananias" praying for him to restore his sight. Ananias argues with God because he knows the reputation of Saul having authority to arrest believers and doing them much harm. Here is God's response:

But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name. Acts 9:15-16

"This man is my chosen instrument" Huh? Of all the men to choose, why Saul?

Saul Who Became the Apostle Paul

God is smart. He knows character, courage, and integrity is rare. So many men may believe in Jesus, but who will never exert such zeal and courage as Saul.

God and Jesus were confident in Saul, that after clearly seeing the truth, he would fulfill the plan of God. As you know, the apostle Paul demonstrated the quality of his integrity, as heaven expected.

What amazes me that even while he was persecuting Christians, he was chosen.

A right heart is far more powerful than a right doctrine.

And yes, there are folks who do not know God, who live with more integrity than many Christians. Something to think about.

We can still build more integrity in our own hearts and cause our Savior God to smile. Something important to remember.

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