Major Anderson was the officer in charge of Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie when the South seceded. Anderson was at Fort Moultrie, which was indefensible, but wanted to transfer his command to Fort Sumter, a strong fort, in case the Confederacy attacked him. When he asked the Federal government for permission, they gave him a vague response. Anderson decided he would best be doing his duty to transfer to Sumter – which he successfully did. His act started the Civil War but saved the Union. “Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith, let us to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it” (Abraham Lincoln).
How do we know what our duty is? If we walk in the light we now have, God will give us more (Jn 1:16). By doing what we now know we need to do, other aspects of our duty will be revealed when that is necessary (Eph 5:8-10, 17). By examining the truth of which we are currently aware, we can normally make a good guess as to what our duty likely is. Major Anderson knew he had a duty to protect the forts of the United States and, if possible, to reduce casualties among his men. He could accomplish neither duty at Fort Moultrie but could do both by going to Fort Sumter. Going to Sumter was what the day called for – so that is what he did.
At times it can be difficult to know what our duty is (and others may well claim to know what our duty should be). Yet, doing our duty is about being obedient to God’s will for us (Lk 17:10). We must live out our convictions as best we understand them (1 Tim 1:5; Rom 14:23) while realizing that God is able to bring good out of any mistakes we make (Rom 8:28).
Instead of being timid, learn to be appropriately bold.