Called to Courage
"Courage is knowing the worst -- and discovering that, in God's world, the very worst can't really hurt you."
Read Joshua 1:6-9
The above quote is from the caregiver of, George Smith, a courageous test pilot who became the first person to survive a supersonic ejection. He survived, with grave injuries, and feared flying again...He believed, in his caregiver's words, he found the anecdote to fear.
(If you'd like to read the entire story of Mr. Smith, you can find it here:
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,866662,00.html)
Now, on to Joshua....He knew what it was to be a "survivor" too. He had seen the worst. He was a former Egyptian Slave, former wilderness wanderer & he had seen many of his people die in the desert. He had plenty of reason to be afraid! However, Joshua portrayed strong courage early on. When the majority of spies sent in to inspect the Promised Land came back shaking in their sandals, Joshua boldly said,
"Do not rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!” (Num 14:9)
He was a BRAVE soldier! Joshua had a lot to be intimidated by when he was being called to fill Moses shoes. However, God made certain that Joshua had the true anecdote to fear!
In our text today 3 times God says "be strong" to a man probably feeling weak. 3 times He instructed "have courage" to a timid leader. God told Joshua 2 times to not be afraid. Then and now, God faithfully gives and speaks strength to the faint. However, I believe that our admittance to weakness is what opens the door to receive God's strength. We have to readily admit our weaknesses to God so that we can accept His strength in those places. That is true courage...trading my weaknesses and anxieties for His strength. I read this quote today,
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but the presence of faith despite fear." -Unknown
God calls us to be courageous and strong, just as He did Joshua. Even when we ARE afraid, even when we are intimidated or discouraged. We are called to have faith even in those times. That is when we are truly courageous. Courage is the strength that enables us to withstand those times. God is calling us (me & you!) to courage. He isn't calling us to be always fearless or never feel weak...because, rest assured, those days will come... but instead He is calling us to have faith in Him DESPITE those times! Trusting in Him when the storms of life are raging. That's COURAGEOUS!
I am going to write down these verses (Joshua 1:6-9) and put them where I can see them in the mornings. I want to pray these verses when I wake up in the mornings...pray them over my family...How great if all of our children and husbands heard us pray over them everyday to "Be Strong and for the Lord, your God is with you wherever you go"??
Be of Good Courage today!! =)
"Courage is knowing the worst -- and discovering that, in God's world, the very worst can't really hurt you."
Read Joshua 1:6-9
The above quote is from the caregiver of, George Smith, a courageous test pilot who became the first person to survive a supersonic ejection. He survived, with grave injuries, and feared flying again...He believed, in his caregiver's words, he found the anecdote to fear.
(If you'd like to read the entire story of Mr. Smith, you can find it here:
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,866662,00.html)
Now, on to Joshua....He knew what it was to be a "survivor" too. He had seen the worst. He was a former Egyptian Slave, former wilderness wanderer & he had seen many of his people die in the desert. He had plenty of reason to be afraid! However, Joshua portrayed strong courage early on. When the majority of spies sent in to inspect the Promised Land came back shaking in their sandals, Joshua boldly said,
"Do not rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!” (Num 14:9)
He was a BRAVE soldier! Joshua had a lot to be intimidated by when he was being called to fill Moses shoes. However, God made certain that Joshua had the true anecdote to fear!
In our text today 3 times God says "be strong" to a man probably feeling weak. 3 times He instructed "have courage" to a timid leader. God told Joshua 2 times to not be afraid. Then and now, God faithfully gives and speaks strength to the faint. However, I believe that our admittance to weakness is what opens the door to receive God's strength. We have to readily admit our weaknesses to God so that we can accept His strength in those places. That is true courage...trading my weaknesses and anxieties for His strength. I read this quote today,
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but the presence of faith despite fear." -Unknown
God calls us to be courageous and strong, just as He did Joshua. Even when we ARE afraid, even when we are intimidated or discouraged. We are called to have faith even in those times. That is when we are truly courageous. Courage is the strength that enables us to withstand those times. God is calling us (me & you!) to courage. He isn't calling us to be always fearless or never feel weak...because, rest assured, those days will come... but instead He is calling us to have faith in Him DESPITE those times! Trusting in Him when the storms of life are raging. That's COURAGEOUS!
I am going to write down these verses (Joshua 1:6-9) and put them where I can see them in the mornings. I want to pray these verses when I wake up in the mornings...pray them over my family...How great if all of our children and husbands heard us pray over them everyday to "Be Strong and for the Lord, your God is with you wherever you go"??
Be of Good Courage today!! =)
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