Right now in this world, many of us are in dire need of courage. Between the natural disasters that have been happening and the state of the economy, we need a good dose of courage. Because of this, I decided to write about what the Bible teaches concerning courage.
‘Courage is not the lack of fear but the ability to face it’ Lt. John B. Putnam, Jr. is credited for the saying. Putnam, a highly decorated member of the US Air Force, is best known for his military record during World War II. He died while in service to his country when his plane crashed July 19, 1944. He was 23 years old.
So what does the Bible teach concerning courage?
- It teaches that courage comes from doing right. 1Chronicles 22:13 “Then you will prosper, if you take care to fulfill the statutes and judgments with which the LORD charged Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be dismayed.” When we have done right, then we do not have a nagging or guilty conscience in the back of our head saying that we deserve to fail or deserve some kind of punishment. How can you be courageous when you are thinking in the back of your head, calamity or disaster is what I deserve?
- It teaches that courage comes from waiting on God. Psalm 27:14 “Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!” To wait on the Lord does not mean to sit and do nothing, but instead to put your faith in God being able to take care of this matter. To wait on God is to find out what His plan is for the situation.
- It teaches that courage comes from hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24 “Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD.” This is very similar to waiting on the Lord. You are you looking to for the answer to your problem? It also teaches that courage comes not from looking at the problem, but the one who is able to solve the problem.
- The Bible teaches that courage comes from having people around us that encourage us. Isaiah 41:6 “Everyone helped his neighbor, And said to his brother, “ Be of good courage!” The word encourage means to fill someone with courage. To open them up and pour it into their heart. What type of people do you have around you? Negative and pessimistic people will drain you of your courage but positive and faith filled people will encourage you. Acts 28:15 “And from there, when the brethren heard about us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.”
- Finally the most important thing the bible teaches about courage is that it comes from God. That we are to take courage from the fact that He never leaves us or forsakes us. Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” He is there for the asking. You are not alone. All you have to have is a relationship with Him! Joshua 1:9 “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.” With God, you have the ability to face your fear. You are not alone. You have someone who is a whole lot bigger than you that can take care of the problem.
My final thoughts about what the Bible teaches about courage.
I leave you with this scripture. If this does not give you courage then I do not know what will.
Romans 8:31
[ God’s Everlasting Love ] “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Do you know that God is for you?
Do you have this assurance in your heart? People who have a personal relationship with Jesus know this fact. They have experienced it. There is a way to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God is with you and that He is for you. It comes from starting a personal relationship with Jesus.
Blessings!
Pastor Duke
This teaching on courage was first published on my website Taber’s Truths.
Find Me On Facebook or Follow Me On Twitter.