Let God Lead Us With Courage

Courage seems to be a forgotten value in our society. Only soldier, sailors and first responders are publically credited with bravery. Courageous movie heroes are restricted to superheroes such as Ironman or Captain America. Many seem to think that displays of courage are really only acts of foolishness; “Fools rush in to where angels fear to tread.”

Yet God often encouraged his people to take courage, to stand strong.

David said further to his son Solomon, "Be strong and of good courage, and act. Do not be afraid or dismayed; for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished. I Chronicles 28:20

Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord. Psalm 31:24

Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. I Corinthians 16:13

In Joshua chapter one, Joshua is told that Moses, (Israel's great leader and Joshua' mentor) is dead. Joshua must take on the mantel of leadership. He is to lead God’s people into the promise land and fight against the Canaanites who occupy the land. Three times God commands Joshua, “Be strong and courageous.” This would not be an easy task. The battles would be tough.  His people would be fickle and frightened  But God also gave Joshua a great promise as well.

“I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:19

The promise to Joshua of God’s guidance and strength is the foundation for our fall emphasis: Let God Lead. God gives Resurrection that same promise today. We are to be strong and courageous as we seek to do God’s will in our community and world. Our courage is not based on any human strength but on God’s strength and power. We need to remember God’s promise and meditate on God’s strength as we look into the future. God faithfully led the Israelites into the promise land; God promises to lead us into our future as we trust in him.

This Sunday at Resurrection we will look at how courage can be a critical part of our Christian faith.

Pastor John Keller