Be of Good Courage

In the 6th grade, my teacher dared to ask me to enter a Math B. Yes, the Lord helped me to
successfully withstand hours of grueling math problems on a stage in front of a packed
auditorium of fellow classmates. Then, I remember later in life, I was inspired to become a
nurse. Fairly early in nursing school, I realized I needed more than my intellect. Only by the
Lord’s favor was I able to endure the exams, the skills testings (video taped), the clinicals, etc. and graduate. Courageous moments are not comfortable; they require a ‘willing one’ to step forward despite the overwhelming fear. Can you remember the time(s) you demonstrated some form of courage? When you clearly recognized you were unequipped, in and of yourself, to conquer the daunting task before you. However, (Thank You, Jesus!) you still had the gumption; yes, the courage to proceed. Many Old Testament witnesses exhibited courage; and they proclaimed their source of faith and strength was the Lord!

I was speaking with a sister last week, and we both resolved that God does not want us to live lives of ease. No! He desires we grow-up and become all He desires His children to be. All of the experiences we incur seemingly propel us and change our trajectory to places we would not go otherwise. God’s aim is always to make us look more and more like His Son, the Lord Jesus. Believers are set apart. We pray as Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane prayed, Father, not my will, but let Your will be done.

In Joshua 1, God encourages Joshua that He would be with him as he replaces Moses as the leader of Israel. God wanted Joshua to know and depend upon Him only. With obedience and submission to His God, He would be victorious and succeed at all given tasks. God, in Jeremiah 17:7-9 proclaims that a man who trusts and hopes in the Lord is like a tree planted by water. Trees by the water are deeply rooted receiving constant nourishment from the water and are thereby able to grow robustly. Because God is always with His children providing all the necessary nourishment, we can stand strong and trust Him to overcome winds, storms, and the worst of what may come. Hallelujah!!

God’s command to be of good courage is a stance that is far from the world. The world will
take refuge and hope in idols, which will cause them to experience droughts that will ultimately render them lifeless. But those who are God’s are exhorted to capture, God is God; and in Him there is no failure. In and with our obedience and awe to the Lord, fear is irrelevant; and our success is inevitable. Amen!

PRAYER: Lord, please continue to wrap Your arms around Your people. Show us that in our closeness and obedience to You, we never have to quit; we can always expect from You. For You are ever present with us and are always able to lead us to triumph in all You have given us to do. May You cause us to walk boldly, confident that only in You can we yield to the Holy Spirit and accomplish Your good pleasure. For we were made to do so. In Jesus’ Name-Amen!
By Sis. Lisa Williams