Be Strong & Courageous

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.

We welcomed a new friend to America’s Keswick Memorial Day Weekend. Dr. Robert J. Morgan, Pastor Emeritus of Donnelson Fellowship in Nashville, TN, was our speaker, and he shared principles from his best-selling book on the miracle of the parting of Red Sea, Red Sea Rules.

In one of his messages, he reminded us that in the Scripture, we see the phrase, “Be strong and courageous” or “Be strong in the Lord” over 30 times.

I don’t know about you, but it seems like we are living in such troubling times and to be reminded to BE STRONG & COURAGEOUS is such a timely reminder and, more importantly, a word from the Lord for all of our lives.

Here are just a few verses:

Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For the Lord your God is the one who will go with you; he will not leave you or abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

Moses then summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you will go with this people into the land the Lord swore to give to their ancestors. You will enable them to take possession of it. Deuteronomy 31:7

The Lord commissioned Joshua son of Nun, “Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I swore to them, and I will be with you.” Deuteronomy 31:23

“Be strong and courageous, for you will distribute the land I swore to their ancestors to give them as an inheritance. Joshua 1:6

Above all, be strong and very courageous to observe carefully the whole instruction my servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you will have success wherever you go. Joshua 1:7

Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Anyone who rebels against your order and does not obey your words in all that you command him, will be put to death. Above all, be strong and courageous!” Joshua 1:18

Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid or discouraged. Be strong and courageous, for the Lord will do this to all the enemies you fight.” Joshua 10:25

“Be very strong and continue obeying all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, so that you do not turn from it to the right or left. Joshua 23:6

Therefore, be strong and valiant, for though Saul your lord is dead, the house of Judah has anointed me king over them. 2 Samuel 2:7

Be strong! Let’s prove ourselves strong for our people and for the cities of our God. May the Lord’s will be done. 2 Samuel 10:12

Then you will succeed if you carefully follow the statutes and ordinances the Lord commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or discouraged. 1 Chronicles 22:13

Then David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He won’t leave you or abandon you until all the work for the service of the Lord’s house is finished. 1 Chronicles 28:20

We all face situations where we need to be strong and courageous. But here is the key. We can be strong and courageous because the Lord is with us!!! We can try and do life on our own, but the real victory is doing life knowing that He is with us. Paul said it this way, “His strength is made perfect in our weakness.”

Where do you need to be brave and courageous today? Remember He is with you! Lean on Him today. Trust Him. Surrender that situation to Him!
Be strong and very courageous.

Living in light of the gospel,

Bill Welte, President/CEO
America’s Keswick
bwelte@americaskeswick.org

Check out Steven Curtis Chapman’s song: His Strength is Perfect

Written by Bill Welte, President/CEO of America’s Keswick: Bill has been married to his childhood sweetheart for 40+ years and has four married kids and 12 amazing grandkids. He loves music and is an avid reader.