Strong and Courageous

God commands strength and courage, not because fear is absent, but because obedience is required.

Obedience to God’s clear commands matters more than the emotions that fight against them. So we must choose to obey even when we are afraid.

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.Deuteronomy 31:6

Loving Jesus means keeping His commandments, even when those commands feel costly or risky.

If ye love me, keep my commandments.John 14:15

God’s presence, not our own confidence, is the true source of biblical strength and courage.

We can stand strong because He promises, “I am with you,” not because we feel strong in ourselves.

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.Isaiah 41:10

Real courage grows from knowing God will never leave nor forsake His own.

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.Hebrews 13:5-6

Courageous faith moves forward in obedience, trusting that God goes with us wherever He sends us.

Faith acts on God’s Word, stepping into the unknown because God has spoken and He can be trusted.

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.Hebrews 11:8

When we walk in the good works God has prepared, we can move forward with confidence that He is already at work ahead of us.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.Ephesians 2:10

Fear and discouragement are confronted by remembering that God’s command is always accompanied by God’s sustaining presence.

When fear comes, we must turn our minds to God’s promises and find stability in His unchanging character.

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.Psalm 56:3-4

In seasons of weakness and discouragement, God gives us enough grace and strength to keep going.

Do I follow what I know or do I follow what I feel?

Am I willing to take God at His Word?

Am I willing to obey when His commandments contradict how I feel or what I want?

Do I believe that He has my good in mind and His plan is better?

For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.Isaiah 64:4