Be Strong and Courageous
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
The Lord has commanded us to be strong and courageous because how can we endure and minister to this evil world without courage. According to the Cambridge English Dictionary, the definition of courage is: “The ability to control your fear in a dangerous or difficult situation.” God has given us courage through the Spirit to overcome the fear that comes from Satan. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (1 Timothy 1:7)
Our love for the Lord will give us courage to serve the Lord to our physical death just a Jesus’ love for us overcame his fear when he went to the cross for our sins. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.(Matthew 10:28) We are eternally minded knowing our home is Heaven, and our love and thankfulness to the Lord gives us the courage to die for Christ just as many are doing today.
The Lord will give us courage to withstand anything in life, if we ask him in prayer for his courage and strength.. Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8) When we need courage and strength, we go to Lord in prayer and ask for his courage and strength. It is important to ask the Lord in prayer for whatever we need to live and serve him. This shows our dependence on the Lord.
The battle for courage is the battle between flesh and soul. Our soul is our personality, thoughts, and emotions, while our flesh is the earthly suit we wear. Christians never die, we just change suits for a new perfect body that lasts forever. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body (1 Corinthians 15:42-44)
Today walk with courage and bring the Light of Christ to whoever you encounter. Seek to be a Light on the hill at all times. Always pray whenever you need courage and strength and know the Lord will give you whatever you need to endure and to serve him.
Prayer: Thank you Lord for guiding me and giving me your courage to endure all things. Help me to not ever let Satan’s fear keep me from fulfilling your divine will. In Jesus name, Amen