A Time for Courage

The first images that come to mind when I think about courage are of my husband during his military career. Whether it was being deployed to Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm, serving with Thai counterparts in Asia, leading his troops at the National Training Center, or conducting missions in the field for weeks, he never seemed to be afraid. Amid fearful situations, he was always calm. Regardless of the unknown, he possessed strength, confidence, and boldness that overflowed in his life.

In today’s passage, God does not suggest to Joshua but commands him to be strong and courageous as the new leader of the Israelites with the tremendous responsibility of leading God’s chosen people to the Promised Land. Joshua was an extraordinary leader amid the unknown because he learned the ways of God, and he responded in a way that pleased the Lord by obeying his statutes and being faithful. Joshua continued to stay strong, and the word we translate as “strong” is the Hebrew word chaseq. It means to “take heart”.

Sometimes, the battles or challenges we face seem insurmountable; how do we obtain courage when confronted by fear? In the midst of danger, we will all experience fear. Fear can grip a person's heart and leave them paralyzed. If we give into fear, we lose, which can divide our minds, impede our progress, and shatter our emotions. God understands when we fear, and it is not a sin to feel afraid, but we cannot let it cause anxiety that hinders our effectiveness in the kingdom of God.

We can overcome fear because Christ lives within us; we have assurance for today, tomorrow, and the life after if we have accepted Jesus as our personal Savior. Let us put our faith into action during life’s storms and step forward and seize the moment with courageous faith. No matter what you may be facing, you can believe that Jesus has everything under control as you take heart and follow his commands. He is with you wherever you go!

Father, as your children, we sometimes struggle with fear, and we recognize that we need you to help us to be strong and courageous. Let us be reminded that you are with us wherever we may go, and help us to apply and obey your precepts. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

Throughout this day: Make some time to be quiet with the Lord and ask him to show you where you have been letting fear get the better of you. Thank him for his promise to be with you always, and embrace his strength and courage by faith.

A PRESSING NEED: We have a growing number of messages from females waiting for a mentor and not enough mentors to meet the current need. If you are female and willing to answer a few messages each week and help people on their spiritual journey to know Jesus, please apply here. For more info about mentoring, click here.