It’s probably no surprise to you that FAITH (our focus last week) plays a major role in helping us to cultivate biblical COURAGE. Courage flows from a Christian’s confidence in the purposes of God that He calls us to fulfill, as well as our trust in His promises that enable us to act bravely, even when circumstances appear to be dire. It is faith that provides the assurance that we are not alone in our journey, and that God is always present to help in time of need. This conviction that stems from Faith fuels the Courage for each of us to face life’s challenges.

Furthermore, it is Faith that transforms humble followers of Christ into extraordinary examples of Courage, just like the ones found throughout the Bible. In the Old Testament, who can forget David as he faced off against Goliath; Esther as she boldly asked for an audience with the king; and Daniel as he faced the lion’s den for disobeying the king’s edict? And in the New Testament, we find Jesus facing His own crucifixion with courage; Peter telling the crowd at Pentecost that it was not the Romans who killed Jesus, but it was they, themselves, who were guilty of condemning Him; and of course Paul, as he faced persecution and trials of every kind as He journeyed throughout the Roman Empire. Friends, it is Courage, rooted in our Faith, that is part of our Christian heritage.

There’s no question about it – It takes COURAGE to be a follower of Christ. Following Jesus is not for the timid, but for those bold individuals who will venture to trust God and face a future filled with uncertainty and risk. Joshua’s story, found in the Old Testament, is one of those examples from the Bible that contains essential reminders for each of us.

As the Israelites were wrapping up their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness and preparing to enter the Promised Land, God spoke to Joshua as he was called to lead the nation across the Jordan. Having previously seen the “giants” that were in the land and the strong “fortified” cities, Joshua had every reason to be apprehensive, and even afraid. Knowing this, God needed to encourage and assure him of victory. Here are the words that God spoke to Joshua:

“Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.  Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you” (Joshua 1:5-7).

Please notice a couple of things: 1) God promised Joshua that He would be with him just as He had been with Moses for the past 40 years; 2) Even though he would face many trials, God promised that he would not be forsaken, regardless of the discouragements he would face; 3) God called Joshua to be “strong and courageous” as they entered the Promised Land; 4) God told Joshua to be strong and “very courageous,” emphasizing the need to not only be strong and courageous, but also “very courageous;” and 5) Joshua was to obey God’s Law handed down to Moses on Mt. Horeb, the Law that was to guide the children of Israel throughout the days of the Old Covenant.

But God wasn’t quite done speaking to Joshua. He continued,

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:8-9).

Once again, the command to meditate on and obey God’s Law was essential for Joshua’s success in conquering the Promised Land. And again, the Lord exhorted him to be strong and courageous (this is the third time), and to not be frightened or dismayed because the Lord would be with him.

The form of courage that we consistently see in Bible characters is not the absence of fear, but quite the opposite. It is the courage to move forward and fulfill God’s purposes in spite of our fears. Friends, Courage rooted in our Faith will likely require us to step out of our comfort zones and trust in God’s provision for all of our needs. Joshua’s leadership in guiding the Israelites into the Promised Land exemplifies the Courage that was fueled by his commitment to meditate daily on God’s Law, and in response, God would fulfill His promise that they would conquer the Promised Land.

Friends, this Christmas season, let’s learn the secret of living courageously, which means spending time in God’s Word and moving forward in spite of our fears, trusting God by faith for His provision for all of our needs.