Courage Comes in Remembrance of God
Sometimes on our journey of faith, we’re going to feel weak, discouraged, and confused. How do we get ourselves from that state to a place of strength and courage? It’s easier than you could ever imagine.
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What is something that God has used in your life to remind you of his presence and promises? How have those “pillars of fire and smoke” helped you when facing difficulty and obstacles along your path?
When was a time someone you know acted with strength and courage during a difficult situation because of their trust in God? What stood out to you about their faith? Where in your life might God be calling you to be strong and courageous and remember he is with you?
Where in your life can you definitively point to God’s faithfulness in the midst of something incredibly difficult, scary, or confusing? How can remembering God’s faithfulness in that situation offer you hope and confidence in the midst of present or future difficulties?
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Sometimes on our journey of faith, we’re going to feel weak, discouraged, and confused. How do we get ourselves from that state to a place of strength and courage? Well, it’s actually easier than you could imagine.
In the Bible, we see God rescuing his people time and time again. In fact, the entire Bible is a story of rescue: God rescuing us from our brokenness, from our sin, from the struggles of this world, from the pain of this world, through Jesus Christ.
I want to point us back to the Old Testament where God called his people out of Egypt, he rescued them from slavery and took them through the wilderness to a new and promised land.
Just before God’s people go into the Promised Land, Moses, who had been leading them for years, passes the leadership baton to Joshua. This is the place in the story where we see how you and I can be strong and courageous even in through the struggles of life, even when things get discouraging or when we get confused.
In Deuteronomy 31, we see a command from God that is repeated multiple times in the Old Testament.
Anytime that Israel is going to do something big and scary or that seems impossible, God directs them to do it in faith and obedience. The command is to be “strong and courageous.” This is seen throughout the Old Testament 13 times!
When Israel is about to enter the promised land, God repeats this command multiple times!
In Deuteronomy 31, God is commanding Joshua and the people of Israel to be strong and courageous as they enter into this land because it is going to cause them some challenges. They are going to have to fight for this land God had already given to them. Sometimes God calls us to fight for the promises he was given us.
Jesus came to give us eternal life. He promised: It is done! We are saved by grace, not by our works. But, even Paul writes, “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” It’s another way to say be strong and courageous. Paul is calling us to work out our salvation win reverence for God, in awe of his goodness and faithfulness. Be strong and courageous in your faith in GOD.
How does God call us to be strong and courageous?
Let’s look back at the story of Israel. He calls them to remember that he’s been with them all along, that he’s rescued them time and time again, and that he is the one who fights the battles for them, and he’s going ahead of them to make sure they are victorious!
In fact, he reminds the people of Israel, “I will be the one who will guide you.” This is in the Bible constantly. When they were walking in the wilderness, God was the one who guided them as a pillar of fire by night and a pilar of smoke by day. This visual helped them remember that God was with them all along, and he would be with them in the future.
That’s how we get to be strong and courageous. We remember.
I want to read to us from Deuteronomy 31:6-8. I hope you will take this as a command to your own heart as well. Look back at your life and see how God has been faithful to you. Let me read it to us.
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As you can see, God reminds the people of Israel through Moses, not be afraid of the people they’re going to encounter. They need to be strong and courageous. Why? Because God promised to go with them, to never leave them or abandon them.
Today, I want to remind you, my friend, God will never leave you or abandon you. He never has. When you look back in your life, God has been working in so many ways.
Granted, sometimes we don’t understand what God is doing, but he is always working in our lives. So pay attention. He’s guiding you. He’s given you the Bible through we learn how he guides, but also experience his guidance by the power of the Holy Spirit.
As we read through Scripture, we are guided by God on how to live out our faith. We are reminded that Jesus came to rescue us and we are reminded that he has promised us eternal life with God in perfect unity with him, and all things will be made right. DO I hear an AMEN?
With all that we have to face, we can be strong and courageous because God is always working in our present circumstances, even if they seem dire, even if they seem like they’re not going to work out. God is always our strength.
Again, how do we become (and remain) strong and courageous? We remember. We don’t have to despair. God isn’t asking us to trust him only when everything is going well. He’s asking us to trust him when things are difficult, when things are challenging, and when we don’t know how things will work out.
I want to read to us God’s promise again from another passage: Psalm 32:8. It says, “I will instruct you and show you the way to go. With my eye on you, I will give counsel.”
In our present circumstance, if they feel dire to you right now, I hope you look for God at work. I pray it will comfort you.
Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit to continue to teach us, guide us and comfort us. It’s now no longer a pillar of fire by night or smoke during the day as it was for the Israelites. The Holy Spirit lives in us. When we put our lives and our trust in Jesus’ hands, by the power of the Holy Spirit will be filled with His peace.
Let us pray.
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