We Need It: Courage

Hostility toward Christians is increasing.

Ex-vangelicals are redefining god to accommodate popular sins. Others are abandoning their faith altogether. Some of our loved ones are walking away from their faith, and it breaks our hearts.

 

But Christ's true followers will never abandon God's loving principles because we aren't standing firm in our own power. We need God's courage, and He is eager to give it.

Joshua had just lost his mentor Moses when he entered the Promised Land facing the greatest challenges of his life, and God assured him with these words:

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

 

Throughout Scripture God assures His people that we can be courageous because He will never forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6; Isaiah 41:10; Hebrews 13:5).

 

He gives us a spirit of "power, love and self-discipline," so we can "be strong and take heart" as we wait for His plans to be fulfilled (2 Timothy 1:7; Psalm 27:14).

 

Yes, hostility toward Christians is increasing, and as God's faithful soldiers, we can put on our "full armor" and courageously join our Lord in the battle (Ephesians 6:10-18)!

💙Beyond 1-minute for those who want more:

Let these passages inspire you. Why not memorize one this week?

 

Deuteronomy 31:6: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." 

Isaiah 41:10: "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." 

 

Hebrews 13:5: "God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'"

 

2 Timothy 1:7: "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."  

Psalm 27:14: "Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD."

 

Ephesians 6:10-18: "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people."

1 Corinthians 16:13: "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong."

 

Proverbs 28:1: "The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion."

 

Psalm 31:24: "Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD."

 

Philippians 1:27-30: "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have."

 

Psalm 16:8: "I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken."

 

Psalm 27:1: "The LORD is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-- of whom shall I be afraid?"

 

Psalm 56:3-4: "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?"  

 

Isaiah 12:2: "Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation."

 

Daniel 3:16-18: "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, 'King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.'"

Bible Love Notes