The Reason Why We Are Strong and Courageous

via TJC

Joshua 1:9

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not  be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

How do we, as Christian men, achieve this? The formula is actually found in the surrounding verses: “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. And do not be discouraged for God is with us”

First, we must realize where our help and strength come from. Psalm 121 says,“My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. When we understand that our strength comes only from the Lord, we see that true courage is only possible by living in Christ and in His Word daily.

Since Christ fulfilled the law through His death and resurrection, we must then ask: what kind of courage do we truly need? It is easy for me to run into a group of guys beating someone up without hesitation. I think we all dream of being hero’s but let us not confuse instinct with courage. But when I think about leading an unbeliever, or even a close friend, to Christ—not knowing how they will react—that takes true courage. My palms get sweaty, fear creeps in, and my mind begins to race.It is not courage when I throw my life down for another; that is simply my natural reaction.

So ask yourself: do I have true courage? Not just the courage to sacrifice my life for others, but the courage to sacrifice my pride, my status, my relationships, my job, and my comfort.

God is not only focused on saving lives. He is after saving souls—and we should be too. Ask yourself: what kind of courage do I lack? Do I lack the courage to lead others to Christ, to stand up for what is holy and just, to fill the gap for the weak and the lowly, to give my life for my brothers, and to leave my comfort to fulfill God’s calling on my life?

True courage is a byproduct of a close relationship with Christ and a daily walk with Him. Do I lack courage because I have accepted sin in my life, or because I need a closer relationship with my Father?