Be of Good Courage

From time to time we all take inventory of our lives and realize that we fall short of who we should be as spiritual leaders in our homes as well as in our churches. That realization should lead us not only to desire to do better, but to take action in order to actually become a better, more effective leader. So we devise a plan that we can commit to and follow. We may even find a fellow believer who can hold us accountable.

To become the spiritual leader you want to be, begins with an active faith. It begins as we trust God and step out in faith to do the things we know we should be doing for Him. As we are then faithful in the little things, God steps up the ante and leads us to even greater endeavors for Him. To continue to step out in faith for the Lord takes courage as a believer. It takes courageous faith.

When Moses was 120 years old, the Lord said to him, “You shall not cross this Jordan” (Deut. 31:1). So Moses gave one last message to the people before commissioning Joshua to take over the work. The people of Israel were about to cross over the Jordan and take the land that God was giving them. Moses was reminding them that, as long as they remained faithful to God and trusted Him, they would have nothing to fear. The Lord God would take care of them, and He was the one who would deliver the pagan people of the land into their hands.

In that context he said, “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you” (Deut. 31:6). In like manner, the Lord Jesus said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5). Like the people of Israel as they went in to conquer the Promised Land, you can know that the Lord is always with you as well, to take care of you and to deliver you from the enemy at every turn.

When David spoke to Solomon about the temple service he picked up that same theme. He was fully aware of what Moses said to the people of Israel in Deuteronomy 31:6 and he tells Solomon the same thing: “Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God - my God - will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD” (1 Chron. 28:20). He told Solomon to do the work he was called to do.

You too are admonished to “Be strong and of good courage, and do it!” You are called to carry out your commitment today with courage and without fear. God will be with you always. He will not leave you nor forsake you. You can make this commitment and then lean on Him every day. He will strengthen you and empower you. He will help you be the spiritual leader in your home and in your church that you are called to be. Amen.