FACE LIFE WITH COURAGE

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

Joshua, in the scripture above, was about to face the most difficult time of his life – a period characterized by wars and battles, uncertainties and enmity from opposing nations. Yet God told him – ‘Be strong and of good courage.’ Many of us are facing similar situations – wars from within and without, trouble at work and at the home front, sickness and diseases, infections and cancers; mostly recently, it’s a pandemic that is threatening our life and existence. But God is saying, ‘Go forth with courage.’ Courage is the ability to act when everybody runs. It is the ability to face the task you have committed to do. Men of courage say ‘This is what I must do.’ Of Jesus, the Bible says, His face was steadfast to Jerusalem. David faced Goliath with courage. Deborah led Israel with courage.

COURAGEOUS PEOPLE HAVE CONSTANCY OF PURPOSE AND CONSISTENCY OF ACTION
They are steadfast and have great tenacity. Despite the decree of the King of Babylon, Daniel prayed. Daniel 6:10 says, ‘Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.’ Leaders are made in crisis; they are not mercurial. Have constancy of behaviour. ‘Be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord’ (1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV)

COURAGEOUS PEOPLE HAVE CONFIDENCE IN GOD AND IN THEMSELVES
Confidence is the ability to say ‘My God shall see me through.’ ‘For thus says the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength…” (Isaiah 30:15 NKJV). ‘Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward’ (Hebrews 10:35 NKJV). Those who have no confidence spread the spirit of fear around them. Be a person of courage and you will reap great rewards for your actions; you become one of the heroes of history.

MEN OF COURAGE BECOME CHAMPIONS
Many people don’t do things that count for their generation, so they never become champions. ‘…But the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits’ (Daniel 11:32). By the wonderful accomplishment of exploits, men of old became champions. ‘I could give accounts of people alive with faith who conquered kingdoms, brought justice, obtained promises, and closed the mouths of hungry lions. I could tell you how people of faith doused raging fires, escaped the edge of the sword, made the weak strong, and—stoking great valor among the champions of God—sent opposing armies into panicked flight’ (Hebrew 11:33-34 Voice). Christ exemplified this and we must follow in His path.

Look away from the chaos and look up to Jesus. Be strong and courageous. Trust God to see you through and push forward towards your goal. Face life with great courage.

You will surely overcome. God bless you.

#gregerhabor