Good Courage
Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in his sight. [1 Chronicles 19:13]Are you willing to say; “Lord come what may?” This is a hard choice that demands good courage; especially when we find ourselves faced with trials beyond our understanding. In the days in which we find ourselves living, we can become overshadowed by fear. Anxiety can lead us to make desperate choices that could lead to even more devastating actions. But God has commanded us to “Behave ourselves valiantly for our people;” which could be our families; friends; neighbors; co-workers. It is anyone God has placed within the borders of our lives. “And let the LORD do that which is good in [His] sight”. I know the struggle that comes when faced with this kind of thinking. I know what its like to loose nearly everything. I know what it feels like to have your world turned upside down. I know what it feels like to be crippled by fear and plagued by anxious thoughts. I have faced all these things more then once. But I also know the blessing of trusting and abiding in Christ. I know the feeling of peace when letting go and allowing God the freedom to do “That which is good in His sight.” I don’t always understand the reasons and whys but the Word says “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD [Psalm 27:14]. And during our time of waiting and being of “Good courage, we must remember it is [He] that [shall] strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD” [Psalm 31:24]. What a wonderful promise we can enter the New Year with hope and the good courage that comes from trusting God and abiding in Christ. Lord, help us to stand in good courage, that we may behave ourselves valiantly, come what may. Amen
Sit Still!
Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still! Nor deem these days—these waiting days—as ill! The One who loves thee best, who plans thy way, hath not forgotten thy great need today! And, if He waits, ‘tis sure He waits to prove to thee, His tender child, His heart’s deep love. Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still! Thou longest much to know thy dear Lord’s will! While anxious thoughts would almost steal their way corrodingly within, because of His delay—persuade thyself in simple faith to rest that He, who knows and loves, will do the best. Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still! Nor move one step, not even one, until His way hath opened. Then, ah then how sweet! How glad thy heart, and then how swift thy feet thy inner being then, ah then, how strong!
And waiting days not counted then too long.
Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still! What higher service could’st thou for Him fill? ‘tis hard! Ah yes! But choicest things must cost! For lack of losing all how much is lost! ‘tis hard, ‘tis true! But then—He giveth grace to count the hardest spot the sweetest place.
J. Danson Smith
Streams in the Desert
Faith, Courage & Hope
While he spake these things unto them, (Matthew 9:14-17) there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live. And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples. And behold, a women, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: for she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the women was made whole from that hour. And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose. And the fame hereof went abroad into all the land [Matthew 9:18-26]. I love this passage of scripture because it speaks to me of faith, courage, and hope in the face of impossibilities. Their faith and hope was in the Lord. And, if you have read Leviticus concerning touching the dead or issues of blood, you’ll see why. You know sometimes the world can be making a noise that quickly turns into scorn, when we exhibit the courage to reach out and touch Jesus the Healer, the Resurrection and Life. But what was His response? Give Place.
I love that!
Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart,
all ye that hope in the LORD.
Psalm 31:24
Against The Current
So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. LUKE 14:33
You must remember that our God has all knowledge and all wisdom, and therefore it is very possible He may guide you into paths wherein He knows great blessings are awaiting you. But to the shortsighted human eyes around you, these seem sure to result in confusion and loss. You must recognize the fact that God’s thoughts are not as man’s thoughts, nor His ways as man’s ways; and that He alone, who knows the end of things from the beginning, can judge what the results of any course of action may be. You must, therefore, realize that His very love for you may perhaps lead you to run counter to the loving wishes of even your dearest friends. You must learn, from Luke 14:26-33, and similar passages, that in order to be a disciple and follower of your Lord, you may perhaps be called upon to forsake inwardly all that you have, even father or mother, or sister, or husband or wife, or even your own life. Unless the possibility of this is clearly recognized, you will very likely get into difficulty. The child of God who enters upon this life of obedience is sooner or later led into paths which meet with the disapproval of those he best loves. And, unless he is prepared for this, and can trust the Lord through it all, he will scarcely know what to do.
[from The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life by Hannah Whitall Smith]
Joining Our Will With God’s
Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.Psalm 143:10
I cannot make myself holy, only Christ can do that. But I can choose to exercise my will for God. Just as a married couples commit themselves to each other, I commit myself to Christ. This is an active decision, one that affects the way I live my entire life. Like marriage, however, it is not a decision that can be made once and then be done with it, I instead, must choose to commit myself to God’s will daily.
[From Stepping Heavenward
by Elizabeth Prentiss]
I Won’t Worry For The Future
“Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? [Luke 12:25 NIV]
Sometimes I feel overwhelmed, wondering what the future holds. Then I remember that worry and fear are not from You. I praise You, Lord, for having control of my future. Why should I be anxious over what tomorrow or the next day brings when I’m Your child and You have my needs and best interests at heart? Thank You for caring for me, not only now but always. Thank You for caring for those I love. I trust that now—and even someday when I leave this perishable body and join You in heaven—You will be answering my prayers for my loved ones down through generations. I read of how, although Abraham’s faith was strong, sometimes he doubted Your promises for his future. Sometimes he created disasters by taking things into his own hands. In spite of all that, You still blessed him and Sarah in their later years with a wonderful son. You have authority over all. So, I will not worry for the future. I will trust in You with all my heart and I won’t depend on my own understanding. Instead, in all my ways I’ll be in tune with You and Your will to guide and direct my paths. Thank You for the future, Lord. I praise You for going before me and making a way.
From When I’m Praising God, by Anita Corrine Donihue
Deliverance
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. Psalm 34:19
Carla couldn’t believe how things were going in her life. She’d always thought Christians didn’t have to face the same kinds of problems everyone else had. What good was being a Christian if your problems didn’t let up? It seemed that since she became a Christian, everything had gotten worse. No matter how hard she prayed, she never felt God close at hand. It is folly to believe that God liberates us from all discomfort and affliction. What He does do is give us the will and determination to go on, even in the face of tough times. He works within us to give us peace and strength and courage; those things necessary to get through life. We can be sure that our trials will not come to an end, but the love of God will see that we get through anything that comes our way. Lord, I sometimes feel I just can’t go on. Please fill me with the strength I need, both of body and of character. Don’t let me give up, but deliver me. Amen
from Wisdom From The Psalms
He Leads
The land whither ye go to posses it is a land of hills and valleys and drinketh water of the rain of heaven: a land which the Lord thy God careth for: the eyes of the Lord thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year (Duet. 11:11-12)
He leads us on by paths we did not know; upward He leads us, though our steps be slow, though oft we faint and falter on the way, though storms and darkness oft obscure the day; yet when the clouds are gone, we know He leads us on. He leads us on through all the unquiet years; past all our dreamland hopes, and doubts and fears, He guides our steps, through all the tangled maze we know His will is done; and still He leads us on.
N. L. Zinzendorf
Streams In The Desert
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Jos. 1:9
Faith takes a courageous step
But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth [his] hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying,
Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
Matthew 14:30-33
I Control The Winds
My child, be not dismayed by any calamity that befalleth thee. Thy times are in My hand. Thy way is open before Me, and I have all in My control. Never doubt My care. Never question My dealings. Ye shall know that I am leading thee by the narrowness of the way. Yea, it is ofttimes a difficult and a precipitous path; but I would assure thee of My hand of protection. Do not think it strange that I bring you by this route, for I say unto thee that there is a raucous crowd on the other road, and there is an abundance of places of entertainment and of places to eat and to drink. I am not taking you that way, because in the solitary and the steep and narrow way I shall have opportunity to deal with thee and to teach thee; and ye shall be blessed and shall learn to praise Me with uncontrollable joy. I cannot produce saints and shape My character and image within you by allowing you full and unrestricted liberty. There can be nothing profitable for you in the matter of the growth of thy soul if ye go the way of abandon. Put thy life in My hands, and it shall be for thee a place of peace and of spiritual comfort. So long as ye abide in this place, I shall control the rains that fall upon thee and the winds that blow. So long as ye are in My hands, ye are in a garrison the walls of which no enemy shall scale.
(from Come Away My Beloved by Frances Roberts pg.172)
They helped every one his neighbor;
and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage.
Isaiah 41:6
