Today we hear a lot about stress. Stress is blamed for health problems, for crime, for divorce, for murder, and the list could go on. And we claim we are living in the most stressful time in history. If things aren't bad enough, science and modern technology have given us more to worry about. Now we've got people stress-out because they are worried about an asteroid hitting the earth, or little green men evading the capital, or some nut in third world country dropping a nuclear missile on us.

This may surprise you but stress has always been around. Our forefathers were worried about some disease wiping out their community or some hailstorm wiping out their crops. There is one difference between them and us -- They depended a great deal more on the Almighty to watch over them and we depend on ourselves to solve the problem.

When God asked Satan if he had ever seen a man as righteous as Job, Satan answered: . . . Doth Job fear God for nought? 10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. 11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. Job 1:9-11

Such is the accusations Satan brings against each of us. Let the hedge of blessing of God be lowered and Satan claims we will all fall. Thank God, Satan is a liar because whether the hedge is up or down we can live right!

Stress is one way that the true courage, confidence, and character of a person can be tested and revealed.

Some one will say, "What confidence?" Saul had confidence but it was misplaced.

In our devotional time, our time of prayer and reading of God's word, we read this verse:

Philippians 1:6

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Now I had read this verse, memorized it, and even quoted it at times but something touched me about Paul was saying in this letter. Paul was in prison . . . . . .

I thought of David, Saul's replacement, and how he faced the giant with confidence:

Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. 46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, . . . 1 Samuel 17:45-46

Allow me to use two Bible Illustrations:

The Garden when Jesus was Arrested -- One fled they all fled.

Paul on the doomed Ship

Acts 27:22-25

22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, 24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. 25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

Saul had more confidence in himself than in the Lord that was directing this battle.

When the Battle was going right, when the enemy was on the run, when the enemy was "manageable," then Courage was easy. When Saul had the ear of God all was all right.

It's those "in-between" times that test a persons courage. Those times when God does not seem to hear and answers are readily available -- Those times when blessing seem far and in between that reveal our courage or lack of it.

Joshua 1:9

9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

In the Bible the meaning of word translated "wait" is much deeper than our usual understanding. We think of wait as waiting for our wife to get dressed. And that meaning is also implied but in the Bible the word wait often has these implications:

Jeremiah 14:22

22 Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? art not thou he, O LORD our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these things.

Psalm 104:27

27 These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season.

1 Chronicles 6:32

32 And they ministered before the dwelling place of the tabernacle of the congregation with singing, until Solomon had built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem: and then they waited on their office according to their order.

What we have here are the three elements that define character: