Courage: April 9, 2013

Today's Word for Tuesday April 9, 2013

COURAGE

DEFINITION:

Lack of fear; bravery; valor.

SCRIPTURE:

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of a good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

In today's society we have noticed that we hear of fewer illustrations of people showing courage. There are exceptions. We know people and have read about many others that have been diagnosed with illnesses, sicknesses and/or diseases who have shown unbelievable courage in their fight for survival. We also must mention the men and women that serve in our armed forces because they really show courage. They are trained to be courageous and they respond so bravely to their call to duty. They are truly amazing men and women and we salute them.

But our concern is for the people we see in our neighborhoods, work places and even in our churches. Courage as we saw it years ago has diminished. Throughout history we have read about many people who have shown unbelievable courage in so many areas of life. This includes our founding fathers, government leaders, generals and many just average people from all walks of life that you might meet on the street.

God has given us many illustrations in His Word about people that showed courage and how God stood with them and blessed them from beginning to the end of the task that they were trying to accomplish.

This verse in Joshua 1:9, that we have written above, contains the final words to Joshua in God's commission to him as he takes over the leadership of the Children of Israel. There is no doubt that Joshua was overwhelmed and even fearful of his new responsibility. We need to consider what God said to Joshua and apply these things to our lives.

Three times God said to Joshua, "Be strong and courageous. (Joshua 1:6, 7, 9) But along with the command God gave Joshua the promise: "I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you." This same command God gives us as believers to remember as we serve Him today. We are to be strong and have courage and not to be afraid as we face difficult and fearful situations in our everyday life because He also has given us the same promise He gave Joshua. God will never leave us. Jesus said, "I am with you always even unto the end of the world." (Matthew 28:20)

Take a look with us at four illustrations in the Bible of men who showed great faith and courage in serving the Lord. 

They are:

Joshua who lead the Children of Israel in the conquest of the Promised Land.

Daniel who refused to compromise his faith in God even when he was thrown into the lion’s den.

The disciples of Jesus who faithfully continued to spread the message of salvation through Jesus Christ in spite of the danger of losing their lives.

Paul, who never let beatings, imprisonment, shipwrecks and hardships of any kind keep him from his missionary journeys to take the gospel to the Gentiles.

Here is what we can learn from them. They all loved God first and foremost. They all were obedient to the Lord and did what the Lord asked of them even in life threatening situations that required real bravery. And each one needed the spiritual strength that could only come from God in order for them to face the crises they had without retreating.

We can learn so much from Joshua. He was appointed by God to lead the Children of Israel into the Promised Land. Just think how he must have felt to have such a difficult assignment. Two of his responses were, "Who am I to follow in Moses footsteps?" "What if the people won't support my leadership?"

Joshua accepted the challenge that God gave him and proceeded and built his courage on two promises. First, he knew that God would be beside him. God had made this promise to Joshua. God makes the same promise to us in Hebrews 13:5 where He said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." God has kept this promise by sending His Holy Spirit to live within us so we have no excuse not to respond to what God leads us to do.

The second promise that Joshua built his courage on was that God would always go before him. He promised Joshua that He would take care of the enemies they must face going to the Promised Land. God said to Joshua, “No one will be able to stand up against you.” (Joshua 1:5) The Israelites would still have to battle but God would give them victory. God has given us the same promise. He will go before us and take care of all the enemies we might face if we are obedient to Him.

The key for Joshua and the Children of Israel was that they were to have complete faith in God and obey His every command. We as believers must do the same. We must daily have complete faith in our Lord and obey His every command. Jesus has gone before us to heaven having won all Spiritual battles on this earth before He left. He did this for us as believers.

Our redemption has been secured, our place in God's family established and our heavenly inheritance has been guaranteed. We can assure you that earthly trials will continue for all of us but they are only temporary. What kind of courage do you have today? If you have fears or doubts, look to the life of Joshua and how he responded to God's call. If you still have some doubt take the time to read about Daniel and Paul in the scriptures. 

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalm 81:1.

Sing aloud unto God our strength: Make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.

PRAYER:

Thank You for the illustrations You have given us in Your Word as to how we can develop courage in our lives. Reassure me today that you will not only walk right beside me but that You will go before me and open all the doors for me.

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