Be of Good Courage

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.
Joshua 1:9

A few years ago, I went to lunch with a friend in Austin, TX. Before leaving the restaurant, I noticed a series of shelves on the wall behind the cashier. On those shelves were a variety of mugs of various sizes, shapes and designs. One caught my eye...a John Wayne mug. I have always loved a good John Wayne cowboy movie on television...a good guy who almost always caught the bad guy. He also did a lot of moral teaching in his movies. I asked to see that mug. It was somewhat oversized with about three different pictures of “The Duke” on the outside. Much to my amazement, there was lettering on the inside of the cup that one couldn't help but notice when taking a sip of tea or in my case, soup. I had never heard the saying up to that point but have seen it several times since. I guess Mr. Wayne was known for it among other sage sayings of his. It said:

“Courage is being scared to death,
but saddling up anyway.”

I really like that definition of “courage.” Courage is also the ability to do something that frightens us. It can be strength in the face of pain, grief or fear. I've been thinking more and more about courage these days. I've watched the media with others as we've observed hostages being killed, many for their faith. I've seen people in our own country standing up for their own spiritual beliefs...bakery owners who refuse to bake wedding cakes for same sex marriages, teachers with their Bibles on their desks, cheerleaders who write Scripture on the huge paper banner their ball team members run through, Hobby Lobby that could have been shut down for their Biblical standards, down to the little check out lady in Wal-Mart who hummed, quietly “Amazing Grace” and always sent customers on their way with “Have a blessed day.” All of the things I've listed took courage with millions of dollars at risk down to someone losing a job.

I can't imagine how Joshua must have felt when God took Moses to Heaven. Joshua had been Moses' right hand man but now found himself the man in charge. I can't imagine the butterflies in Joshua's stomach, but God was right on hand to encourage him.. God gave Joshua every promise and assurance of His presence with this new leader. God gave him specific jobs to do. Over and over, God said, “Be strong and courageous...” God knew what it would take for Joshua to complete his assignments.

Joshua was faithful to do all God asked of him right down to the time of his death. It is so interesting at the time of Joshua's death that his final words to the leadership of Israel echoed what God had given him at the beginning of his time of leadership. He said in 23:6:

Be ye therefore very courageous
to keep and to do all that is
written in the book of the law
of Moses, that ye turn not aside
therefrom to the right hand or
to the left.

The one addition he made to that statement was for the people to be obedient to the book of the law of Moses. He also admonished them to establish a straight path with the Law and not veer right or left...just straight ahead, strict obedience. Joshua had come a long way from the “newby” leader to a man of strength and integrity, BUT, it took a great deal of courage on his part as well as trust in God's ability to bring him through everything he would face.

God often calls on you and me to venture forward in to areas that may be foreign to us. I think of my husband who stepped into teaching an adult Sunday school class. He had never taught adults and the adults were peers. I watched him with agony knowing a little of what he felt. I've watched folks of all ages sing their first solo in church. I had a big, strapping football friend who had to make his first speech in our college speech class. Even with stiff jeans on, those shaking knees could be seen. By the end of the semester, he wasn't a professional speaker, but was doing very well before the group. Very often, it's those “first” things that take all the courage we can muster.

There are ongoing things that require courage beyond our own strength. I think of caretakers I know who wake up every day to some very difficult circumstances. With great courage they face what must be faced. Some folks are mistreated on the job, but they go, face the difficulties and do their jobs day after day. We can't forget our policemen who keep us safe as well as firemen who do the same, but in a different way. I've had friends who go to face chemo treatments week after week who face it all with courage.

So how do we handle this need for courage in our lives? We rely on the strength God provides and His Word that guides and comforts. It's in His power that we put one foot in front of the other as we progress into areas that are frightening or foreign. Scripture gives us promise after promise of His presence and provision. So join me...let us BE OF GOOD COURAGE.

Heavenly Father, I know that your power can sustain and uphold me. Help me as I face decisions large and small. Help me to know that in it all, Your opinion is the only one that matters and I can be courageous because of who You are in my life as taught in Your word. In Jesus' precious name...Amen