The instinct to tell a child to “be brave” is almost universal. It’s a comforting phrase, often offered as encouragement when facing something recent or frightening. But true bravery, the kind that sustains us through life’s inevitable challenges, isn’t simply a momentary burst of courage. It’s a quality cultivated over time, built through consistent choices made when no one is watching, a quiet strengthening that prepares us for the moments when courage is most needed. This idea, explored in the latest installment of “Music & the Spoken Word,” a weekly broadcast from the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, offers a compelling perspective on the nature of bravery and the role of faith in developing it.
The broadcast, now in its 5,036th episode as of July 13, 2025, according to the Church News, draws a powerful parallel between the well-known story of David and Goliath and the everyday experiences that shape our character. It’s easy to focus on the dramatic climax – David’s seemingly impossible victory over the giant – but the broadcast, shared by Derrick Porter each Sunday, highlights the unseen preparation that made that victory possible.
The Unseen Battles
The story of David and Goliath, found in 1 Samuel 17:32-50, often centers on the miraculous outcome. But a closer look reveals a young shepherd who wasn’t simply lucky. He was prepared. When David volunteered to fight Goliath, King Saul questioned his ability, pointing out the vast difference in their experience. David’s confidence didn’t stem from a sudden surge of bravery, but from a history of facing – and overcoming – threats. He recounted to Saul his previous encounters with a lion and a bear while protecting his father’s flock. “He told of earlier encounters with a lion and a bear while tending his father’s sheep,” the broadcast notes. “Protecting the flock, he went after the predators, and when they rose up against him, he caught them and struck them down.”
These weren’t grand, celebrated battles. They were solitary acts of courage, performed in the quiet solitude of the fields. David’s willingness to confront those predators, to risk his own safety for the sake of his sheep, wasn’t about seeking glory; it was about fulfilling his responsibility. And it was in those unseen moments, those quiet acts of faithfulness, that his bravery was forged. As the broadcast emphasizes, “Those unseen experiences strengthened him. They gave him assurance that the same God who delivered him from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear surely would deliver him from the Philistine who had ‘defied’ the living God.”
Faith as a Foundation
The broadcast doesn’t suggest that bravery is simply about facing fears. It’s about facing them with faith. David’s confidence wasn’t rooted in his own strength, but in his trust in God’s ability to deliver him. This connection between faith and bravery is central to the message. “Faith sustains bravery,” the broadcast states. “And sometimes, the bravest people are the ones who unconditionally accept the will of God.” This isn’t necessarily about grand gestures or dramatic pronouncements, but about a quiet acceptance of a path, even when it’s difficult or uncertain.
This concept resonates beyond the biblical narrative. Consider the countless acts of quiet courage that occur every day – the single parent working multiple jobs to provide for their children, the caregiver dedicating themselves to a loved one, the individual battling a chronic illness with resilience and grace. These aren’t headline-grabbing feats, but they require a deep well of inner strength, fueled by faith and a commitment to something larger than oneself. They are the unseen battles that shape character and prepare us for the challenges that lie ahead.
Looking Ahead: The Enduring Message of “Music & the Spoken Word”
The enduring popularity of “Music & the Spoken Word,” which will be presented on Sunday, March 22, 2026, speaks to the universal need for messages of hope and encouragement. The broadcast is available on a wide range of platforms, including KSL-TV, KSL News Radio, KSL.com, BYUtv, BYUradio, Dish, DirecTV, SiriusXM (Channel 143), tabernaclechoir.org, youtube.com/TheTabernacleChoir, and Amazon Alexa. Broadcast schedules by state and city can be found at musicandthespokenword.com/viewers-listeners/airing-schedules. The program airs live on Sundays at 9:30 a.m. Mountain Time.
As we navigate our own lives, facing our own “Goliaths,” it’s worth remembering that bravery isn’t a gift bestowed upon a select few. It’s a skill developed through consistent effort, through the small, unseen choices we make each day. And, perhaps most importantly, it’s a quality strengthened by faith – a belief that even in the face of overwhelming odds, we are not alone. The next broadcast of “Music & the Spoken Word” promises to continue offering these timeless insights, reminding us that the path to bravery is paved with quiet faithfulness and unwavering trust.
What resonates most with you about the idea of cultivating bravery? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and please share this article with anyone who might find it inspiring.
