Tag Archives: Courage

A Few Thoughts From Ladies Bible Study

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For the last few months, I have had the privilege of leading a Ladies’ Bible Study at my church. When the former leader asked me to consider taking her place because she would be moving out of state, I prayed and soon believed God gave me the green light to say yes. Confidence in my Bible-Study-leading skills did not accompany that belief; however, God reminded me that He never puts a task in front of us without promising to give us the ability to fulfill it as He walks right beside us.

As I gain experience facilitating our weekly Bible Study, I also gain knowledge and insight from the dear ladies who attend each Tuesday morning. We have been studying different names and attributes of God. I want to share a few of the thought-provoking points from our discussions, and I pray it is meaningful to you!

The story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:1-51: David willingly stepped up to fight Goliath, who was brazenly mocking the Israelite soldiers and their God. (Isn’t it surprising and disappointing that absolutely nobody in the army was willing to put themselves out there as David did?)

David’s eyes were not on himself. He did not think he could defeat the giant using his own strength and implementing his own methods. His eyes were not on Goliath either. If he had dwelled on the fact that Goliath was almost 10 feet tall, nearly 400 pounds, and was wearing a coat of armor well over 100 pounds, he would not have had the courage to take on that intimidating giant.

Where were David’s eyes? They were on God – His almighty, all-powerful God who protected him when he fought a bear and a lion. His eyes were on the God he had complete confidence in to help him in this wildly daunting feat.

The story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22:1-14: What did Abraham think when God commanded him to take Isaac to Mt. Moriah? I had never noticed before that in verse 5, Abraham tells the men with them to stay there with the donkey, as he and Isaac were going to worship, and then they would be back. They would both be back. Clearly, he was obedient to God; he had the knife raised above Isaac when God told him to stop. Immediately he saw the ram caught in the thicket, which became the sacrifice instead of his son. He must have had a good feeling that God would somehow give his son back or not have him go through with it, or…something, because he said they would both be back. There is faith in God, and then there is FAITH in God! Abraham had incredible faith and trusted God’s ways, even when they did not make sense in a human way of thinking. 

God provided at the very last second – when things looked the darkest. Again, Abraham had the knife raised in the air, ready to follow the command that God had given him. And at that moment, God said stop. God came through. Again. God provided. Again. And that story is not just for that time and that place. It is a promise of continued providence for all believers.

Just Like Joshua

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Parents often repeat commands to their children for emphasis. In the first chapter of Joshua, he was told by God to “Be strong and courageous,” three times. God’s words in these verses seem to be a very matter-of-fact way of informing a willing man that the next steps must be taken, and success would not be a part of the equation if strength and courage were absent. The next steps were to obtain the land promised to the Israelites.

God’s marching orders held no promise that a supernatural feeling of courage would well up inside of Joshua’s soul. Nope. No “peace that passes understanding” feeling would signify it was time for Joshua to move. The words feel or feelings do not make an appearance in this chapter. God did not tell Joshua to feel strong and courageous. God told Joshua to be strong and courageous.

Did God promise His presence? Absolutely! But there was no promise that Joshua would not necessarily be shaking in his sandals as he carried out these sacred steps.

Just like Joshua, we are told many times in the Bible to be courageous. And just like Joshua, God does not tell us to feel courageous. He says, “Be courageous.”

It will not be possible to find in ourselves the confidence in our own ability to carry out our call, but there is something we can have absolute confidence in – God will show up and walk us through it. Step by step. Forward steps. Even backward steps. He will help us get back on track and be right by our side. Yes, we may have some shaking-in-our-boots or sandals moments, but God’s presence is a guarantee.

When we obey God and follow through with something that takes us straight out of our comfort zone, He blesses us. In Luke 11:28, Jesus says, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” The blessing of God is worth the prayer, perseverance, and persistence that hard assignments from Him require.

Courage is often about us doing what God has asked us to do even though we might still feel nervous or fearful. Courage is asking God for strength to do it anyway – even though fear may be whispering (or shouting) in our ear that we are the wrong person, that it is the wrong time, or that we heard the wrong message. Courage is the strength to keep repeating to ourselves until we believe it that, “God is with me.”

If we insist upon waiting to be struck with a feeling of courage before we step out of our comfort zone and onto God’s path, we will wait ourselves right out of an opportunity to do something great.

 

 

 

Be Courageous

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Just a quick thought I wanted to share with you –

We’re told many times in the Bible to be courageous. God doesn’t tell us to feel courageous. He says, “Be courageous.” Often it’s more about us doing that thing God has asked us to do even though we might still feel nervous or fearful. Courage is doing it anyway. Do it knowing that God will show up and help you through it. Do it knowing that the world’s response is much less important than the obedience you’ve shown in doing it. If you’re waiting for a feeling of courage to come before you step out of your comfort zone, you’re going to wait yourself right out of an opportunity to do something great.