When we read of the great men of old, the mighty and the strong, the courageous, the faithful, those who slew thousands and ten thousands ... perhaps we also think of phrases like, "faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings with a single bound."

In admiring their feats, we tend to think of these men as super human, almost supernatural, and nearly impossible to follow - while missing their weakness and how God brought them to places of such courage and faith.

If you've ever found yourself in a series of lessons where you hang on to God because there's nothing else to hang on to, and He gives you sweet promises like this, "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee: and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee," Is. 43:2 ... then there's nothing left to do but hang on, drown, or get burned. That's how God's chosen become courageous.

If you're experiencing anything like this then, consider than you might've been chosen (Is. 43:10) for special services, too, and welcome the lessons.

One step at a time you'll come to "know" God with your whole heart, "believe" Him with your whole life, and "understand" with your whole being that He is all there is, all there ever really was, and all you need. You'll be so consumed in His love that there'll be no doubt but what God dearly loves you, He is for you, He'll always be there for you, His promises are true, you can count on Him for anything, things will always turn out for your good, and He will always do the most loving thing possible toward you.

Only when we go through the fires and floods can we begin to walk as the great men of old. For, it's when we are weak that we learn of His strength.