By Grace Sweeney.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
In all our talk about courage and bravery, I think we sometimes forget that courage doesn’t have to come from us. In fact, it shouldn’t. The Lord our God is with us—He fights for us—and that’s what should give us courage. Sometimes we get caught up in trying to manufacture the feeling of courage, when all we really need to do is remember this verse. After all, if God is for us, who can be against us?
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
God doesn’t fight all of our battles for us, like He did sometimes for the Israelites—he’s provided us with all we need to fight them ourselves. (Read Ephesians chapter 6.) Fear does not come from him. He promises that He’s given us power, love, and self-control. We have nothing to be afraid of when He’s with us.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)
Here’s another verse telling us not to be afraid, coupled with a different promise. The promise of peace. Jesus is the Prince of Peace and will still our fear-filled hearts if we allow Him to. He’ll push back the fear with His wonderful love, and make space for courage.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Trust is the key to courage. Without trusting in the Lord, we can be tossed to and fro by the waves all day long. We can’t be firm.
But when we put our trust in Him and only in Him, he leads us forward in a wonderful journey of bravery in Him.
Hymn:
This hymn emphasizes that point—and I also love the visuals it provides of a star and long, weary road. I think it’s so beautiful. <3
Courage, Brother, Do Not Stumble by Norman MacLeod
Courage, brother! do not stumble,
Though your path be dark as night;
There's a star to guide the humble:
Trust in God, and do the right.
Let the road be rough and dreary,
And its end far out of sight;
Foot it bravely; strong or weary,
Trust in God, trust in God,
Trust in God, and do the right.
Perish policy and cunning,
Perish all that fears the light!
Whether losing, whether winning,
Trust in God, and do the right.
Some will hate you, some will love you,
Some will flatter, some will slight;
Heed them not, and look above you:
Trust in God, trust in God,
Trust in God, and do the right.
Simple rule and safest guiding,
Inward peace, and inward might,
Star upon our path abiding,
Trust in God, and do the right.
Courage, sister! do not stumble,
Though your path be dark as night;
There's a star to guide the humble:
Trust in God, trust in God,
Trust in God, and do the right.
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