True Grit

True Grit is a story about a girl, Mattie Ross, whose father was killed by a traveler in a boarding house while trying to help him.  Mattie refuses to let the injustice lie, and she hires a hard-bitten U.S. Marshall to track down the scoundrel and bring him to justice.  Through circumstances, they are accompanied by a Texas Ranger, a group for whom I have a lot of respect, and the three give chase to the murderer.  Hardships fall upon Mattie and the others, but in the end, her father's murderer lies dead.

I watched the 2010 version of the movie this morning.  While the Christian life is certainly not about revenge, "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord'" (Romans 12:19), the movie does portray a strong sense of perseverance and a desire for justice.  Any believer who has walked in the faith long enough knows the value and necessity of both, "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8), and as one walks with God, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him" (James 1:12).

It is the requirement of the Christian to have a firmness of mind and spirit when confronted by the world.  There are many temptations that would drawn us away from the narrow road on which God would have us walk.  The believer must show unyielding courage in the face of hardship and danger, even to the point of death, "for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control" (2 Timothy 1:7).

Foxe's Book of Martyrs gives an account of men and women throughout the ages that displayed true grit in the face of torture and death.  They would not deny their King.  Honestly, we have it too easy in the United States.  Our hardships are trivial matters compared to those who have walked before us, those who live across oceans, and even some who live in our midst.  It has made us weak morally and spiritually as a nation.  Would someone with the kind of stalwart heart a Christian is expected to have knowing full well that their treasure is not here but in heaven fall apart when finances are hard?  What if something goes wrong at work or school, or when friendships or family relationships are on the rocks?  What if a girlfriend or boyfriend leaves...  or a fiancee?  I am not saying that our hearts should harden or that we should not hurt when these things happen.  I believe we should, but the strength of God Himself undergirds those who trust in Him.  It empowers us to carry on and fight the good fight, "The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold" (Psalm 18:2).

"Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, 'My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right is disregarded by my God'?  Have you not known?  Have you not heard?  The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.  He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable.  He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.  Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint" (Isaiah 40:27-31).

When God strengthens us, we can display the remarkable poise in devastating situations that causes others to see the power of the Almighty moving within us, "I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.  I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound.  In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:11b-13).  By the power and grace of God, the believer is equipped to stand face to face with the tribulations of this world, to grit our teeth and dig in our heels in order to stand firm in the truth of Christ.  True grit is the mark of a Christ follower, and we will not be moved.

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.      Selah
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.  God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.  The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; He utters his voice, the earth melts.  The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress" (Psalm 46:1-7).