Wednesdays in the Word

This scripture in Revelations struck me the other day and has been popping up in my mind randomly and often:

"But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murders, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." Rev. 21:8

I find the order of this list fascinating. Why would cowardly come before murders? Is it least to greatest or greatest to least? Or in a random order?
Anyway, it has caused me to be thinking about cowardice  (the lack of courage or resolution) and courage (mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty) ever since.
The word 'coward' always reminds me of the Cowardly Lion who wanted courage in the Wizard of Oz. The Bible says that the "Righteous are bold as a lion."
And so I've been thinking about the need to show courage in all the different situations I find myself in and the need to praise courage before my children.

Then I read this quote from Sally Clarkson and loved it! (to read her whole post, go here)
                        
                       “There will always be giants in our land.

There will always be circumstances, people and matters of life that could potentially threaten to overwhelm us.

Perhaps the icy cold fingers of fear squeezing out all of the hope in one’s heart for what might happen

to a child, a job, a marriage, a life;

the darkness of depression hanging heavily as a cloud over all the moments of a day;

exhaustion and weariness dragging the body stumbling through foggy moments of day;

illness that threatens to overwhelm life;

a marriage that bruises and wounds deep where no one else sees;

bitterness or blame that steals each moment of thought into death and hate;

loneliness so palpable and sad, the obscurity of being unknown in life’s burdens and ignored and uncared for;

All and more might be the Giant’s names, and yet,

 The grace and beauty of a mother, deciding to stand up to the threats of the giant,

to attack her would-be foe, with weapons of heaven’s design,

This warrior mama, who understands civilizing her home, can make her giant story one of a memory of the power of God.

When she understand the import of the civilizing of our lands, our homes, our families,

these the foundations of a future adult generation that will exercise moral courage and fortitude.

and exhibit strength in places of leadership,

she understands that our children are watching us as we exhibit courage, so that some day, they will know how to be courageous.

And so, we mamas exhibit strength instead of fear, so that some day they will be strong."

"He who OVERCOMES shall inherit all things and I will be his God and he shall be My son." ~Rev. 21:7

~Becky