Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. (Psa 27:14) How I love Noah Webster’s definition of courage!
COURAGE, n. [L., the heart.] Bravery; intrepidity; that quality of mind which enables men to encounter danger and difficulties with firmness, or without fear or depression of spirits; valor; boldness; resolution. It is a constituent part of fortitude; but fortitude implies patience to bear continued suffering.
Courage that grows from constitution, often forsakes a man when he has occasion for it; courage which arises from a sense of duty, acts in a uniform manner.
Be strong and of good courage. Deu 31.
Doing a search of the phrase “good courage” yielded a goldmine for me! I hope you are blessed as well. God’s Word clearly defines “courage” and portrays that we can only have courage through God.
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. (Deu 31:6) Emphasis mine.
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. (Jos 1:9) Emphasis mine.
And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye fight. (Jos 10:25) Emphasis mine.
And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD. (1 Ch 28:20) Emphasis mine.
Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD. (Psa 31:24) Emphasis mine.
Dear Christian, do these verses not encourage your heart? How can we fear what lies before us when God stresses over and over in His Word how He will not fail us or forsake us? Are you dealing with belligerent unsaved loved ones? What about co-workers who mock your stand? Are you chastised by the lost because you share what God’s Word has to say about homosexuality, adultery, or fornication? Do even other believers shake their heads at you for your stand on the King James Bible? Is the battle for the Lord becoming weary? Be of good courage and take heart! And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. (Luk 21:28 ) Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. (Jam 5:8 )
It won’t be long before our battle is over, my friend. Have courage – be strong – it won’t be long before we are with our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: (Rev 22:3) And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. (Rev 22:4)
Dear God…
Be strong and of good courage
Your Word so clearly states
Help me be obedient
As each battle I await
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Psalm 27:14 is the very first promise I claimed after getting saved while my husband and I were separated. God proved Himself true to His promise when He gave me the strength to endure and He soon brought my husband back to me. Thank God for His promises!!
Mrs Kate what a wonderful post the Lord has given you. I am so glad that we can hold onto the promise he never forsake us. What a blessing.
Bro Tim
That’s a neat definition. You listed some of my favourite verses here.
You might find it interesting, that in the two main chapters where Joshua and the nation of Israel are exhorted to be of good courage and possess the land, the phrase is used seven times (Joshua 1:7 is stated slightly different):
Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Deuteronomy 31:7 And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it.
Deuteronomy 31:23 And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee.
Joshua 1:6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
Joshua 1:7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
Joshua 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Joshua 1:18 Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage.