Take Courage Courage is the fundamental virtue in every saint of God, in every soldier of righteousness, in every witness for the truth. A. B. Mackay November 4, 2018

Courage – Webster 1828 Bravery; intrepidity; that quality of mind which enables men to encounter danger and difficulties with firmness, or without fear or depression of spirits; valor; boldness; resolution. It is a constituent part of fortitude; but fortitude implies patience to bear continued suffering.

Numbers 13:20 …and whether the land is rich or poor, and whether there are trees in it or not. Be of good courage and bring some of the fruit of the land.” Now the time was the season of the first ripe grapes.

Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.

Deuteronomy 31:7 Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it.

Deuteronomy 31:23 And the Lord commissioned Joshua the son of Nun and said, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall bring the people of Israel into the land that I swore to give them. I will be with you.”

Deuteronomy 31:23 And the Lord commissioned Joshua the son of Nun and said, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall bring the people of Israel into the land that I swore to give them. I will be with you.”

Joshua 1:6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.

Joshua 1:7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses My servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Courage - Hebrew To be firm and confident, to be stout, strong, bold, alert, steadfastly minded, fortify, harden

Courage - Greek Refers to God bolstering the believer, empowering them with a bold inner-attitude (to be "of good courage") is the result of the Lord infusing His strength by His inworking of faith. Showing this unflinching, bold courage means living out the inner confidence (inner bolstering) that is Spirit-produced. HELPS Word Studies

Acts 23:11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about Me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

2 Corinthians 5:6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord,

2 Corinthians 5:8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

Philippians 1:20 …as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.

We Need Courage: In the face of repeated temptation In the face of continuing to make the righteous choice In the face of peer pressure to walk in a worthy manner though everyone else is going elsewhere If you are the only Christian in your family

We Need Courage: If you are the only Christian at your job or in the classroom If your parents or spouse is unreasonable, not supportive or is not perfect If your health is failing or someone you love is struggling If the world all around is sinking sand…which it is!

How Do We Receive Courage? Psalm 27:14 Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! Psalm 31:24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!

But, If God Is Faithful, Love And Sovereign, Then… Everything He has said and promised is true and He will do it. (2 Corinthians 1:20) He has redeemed us forgiving all of our sins. (Colossians 1:14) He has empowered us with everything we need to live a successful life of purpose for His Kingdom. (2 Peter 1:3-4)

But, If God Is Faithful, Love And Sovereign, Then… He assures us that He is able to complete the work He began in us. (Philippians 1:6) He promises never to leave or forsake us. Ever. (Hebrews 13:5) He promises that everything will work out for our good in some way or somehow. (Romans 8:28)

For Our Consideration… Are you facing a situation where you need courage? Where will you find it? How does waiting upon the Lord increase courage? How does reading the Bible increase courage? Do you believe that God is true, faithful, love and sovereign?

Prayer Focus Thank You Father for Your Word to lead and guide us daily. Thank You for Your grace to empower us to have courage in the face of this life? Please help each of us to walk in a manner that is pleasing to You every day.