“Be strong and very courageous.” Joshua 1:7
Our God’s tender love for His servants makes Him concerned for our inward feelings. He desires us to be courageous.
Some consider it a trivial matter for a believer’s mind to be confused, swirling with doubts and fears, but God doesn’t think so. Our Master doesn’t want us to be fearful. Instead, he wants us to be without worry, doubt, and cowardice. Our Master doesn’t think as lightly about our unbelief as we do.
When we are in despair, we are suffering from a terrible illness which should be carried at once to the beloved Physician. Doubtfulness and discouragement is a disease, which can become an epidemic, spreading among the Lord’s flock. One downcast believer can influence twenty others, for better or worse.
Christians ought to have a courageous spirit so we will glorify the Lord by enduring trials in a heroic manner. If we are fearful and fainthearted, it will dishonour his God. Our Lord doesn’t want to see us sad. It was a law of Ahasuerus (a biblical king sometimes referred to as Xerxes) that no one could come into the king’s court in clothes of mourning. However this is not the law of the King of kings, because we can come to Him. He will accept us just as we are, and then urge us to take off the chains of grumbling and put on the garment of praise, because there are many reasons to rejoice.
Also, unless your courage is kept up, Satan will see an opportunity to pounce. Let your spirit be joyful in God your Savior. The joy of the Lord will be your strength, and no fiend of hell will advance against you. Labour is light to a person who has a cheerful spirit, and success will come from cheerfulness. Anyone who rejoices in God, believing with all their heart, is guaranteed success because they are doing exactly what God has called them to do. If you sow in hope you will reap in joy. Therefore, dear friend, “Be strong and very courageous.”
Question: Where do you turn when you’re feeling fearful and weak?
by Charles H Spurgeon
Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer, 2009.
Used by Permission
FURTHER READING
• Being Strong and Courageous – The Jesse Goerzen Story
• Courageous Living – by Mary Pinckney
• God Requires Risky Obedience – by Jon Walker
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