Courage is a highly prized virtue, and many famous and respected people have spoken or written about it over the years. We probably all have an idea of what we mean by courage, or bravery as it is sometimes known. We should be as bold as a Lion.
Courageous people stand against the things that threatens them and most importantly the things and people they care about. Acting courageously generally makes us feel good and fulfilled because it involves mastering emotions. The very fact that we celebrate courage so much tells us that it is a very human activity. We can and should be courageous about life and every other thing else.
COURAGE IS A VIRTUE
“Be strong and very courageous Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” (Joshua 1:7-8) God gave this command to Joshua when he replaced Moses as leader of the Israelites… Be strong… Be courageous… Be obedient… Be in the Word always.
In order for us to succeed, we must follow these same guidelines. Like Joshua, God calls us to go forth with a courageous faith. Like Joshua, we are ready. God didn’t send an unprepared child to conquer warring enemies awaiting in the Promised Land. Joshua had been trained by the best. For over 40 years, he stayed by Moses’ side and learned what he would need to lead this often-floundering society of refugees. God prepares us for what He calls us to do. When He says go, we can march forth in bold confidence, knowing that we are ready.
Even though Joshua was well-trained and prepared for his task at hand, God gave him what was undoubtably the best command, one we must all take to heart: “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night.” Matthew Henry commented on this command when he wrote, “Joshua is to make the law of God his rule. He is charged to meditate in it day and night, that he might understand it. Whatever affairs of this world we have to mind, we must not neglect the one thing needful.”
How can we be strong and courageous? By burying our fears in scripture and walking in the footsteps of our Savior. How can we be sure to obey the will of our Heavenly Father? By rooting our lives in His word. Stay grounded in God and nothing is impossible! Like Joshua, we can conquer any obstacle in our path when God fights our battles. Like Joshua, no matter how much we train, without that constant connection to God’s Holy Word, we will eventually stumble. So, be strong enough to trust God at His word. Be courageous enough to walk the path He created you to travel. Do it all in the confidence of one daily grounded in the Good News.
For over two centuries, men and women have set out to spread the Gospel. Many met obstacles and even death in response to their message, reminding us again and again that God never promises us a life without worries or hardships. Instead, He lovingly promised: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
Still, the cost of following Jesus often taunts us as we heed our Savior’s call. We may lose friends, jobs, or even our lives. Are you willing to follow despite the cost? Hebrews 13 continues with verse 6: “So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?’” Truly, what can man to us? Satan may rage and threaten. He may accost us and take away our every security, but his attacks are limited. Jesus declared: “My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” (John 10:29)
Matthew Henry once wrote: “Whether we are called to suffer poverty, pain, labor, persecution, reproach, or death, we are following the Author and Finisher of our Faith; nor can we set our feet in any dangerous or difficult spot, through our whole journey, but faith will there see the prints of the Redeemer’s feet.” No matter what the road we are called to travel looks like, we are never alone. No matter what hardships we are confronted with in this life, no one can steal our eternity. This life is so short compared with the next. Heaven’s streets have no end. We will one day walk them with no fear, no sadness, and no danger. Compared with what awaits us, nothing this world throws at us matters. Let us walk the path of God’s creating.
Let us follow our Savior’s call and his lead. We will go into all the world, but we will start right where we are. We will share with our neighbors. We will live as a light in our community. Though social media networks attempt to silence us, though governments ban our faith, though friends ridicule and revile us, nothing can pluck us from God’s hand.
MY FINAL WORDS TO YOU IS THAT YOU SHOULD BE COURAGEOUS.
IT'S INSIDE OF YOU, DIG IT OUT