Lent – Day 27

The Power to Live Courageously

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise — in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? Psalm 56:3-4

What does fear look like for you? There are two things I tend to experience in the midst of fear:

I feel alone.
I feel stuck.

Fear makes me feel unable to live out my faith. It keeps me from standing boldly in my convictions. Sometimes I lack the confidence to share my faith, or I say no when God is calling me to say yes.

While Christians are not immune to feeling afraid, God has provided everything we need to move from a life of fear to one of courage.

Joshua was called to step into the role of leading God’s people after Moses died. Moses was a great leader, so Joshua felt intimidated and fearful.

Then, in Joshua 1:9, God tells him, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” God’s command is to be courageous and keep going where God is leading. God’s promise to Joshua is also ours: He will be with us wherever we go. So why remain stuck in fear?

The Bible reminds us how to move from fear to faith. In Psalm 56:3-4, David says, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise — in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

These verses are a declaration of what it means to move from fear to courage by trusting in God. When you remember that God is in control, that He is with you and that He has called you to keep moving forward, then your fear fades and courage grows.

Fear produces things in your life that prevent you from living for God. You cannot conquer fear on your own, but God has given you everything you need through His Spirit, who can help you choose to act in faith even if you still feel afraid.. In all things, God is with you. And remembering you are not alone but have the sovereign God of the universe by your side makes you brave.

Respond and Pray

What is one way you can choose courage over fear this week, in the power of the Holy Spirit, and trust God to use you for His Kingdom? What does it look like for you to trust God in the midst of something that makes you afraid?

Consider this prayer: “Jesus, I know that I can do nothing without You. Any courage I have comes from You. I believe that You will give me the strength and boldness I need to live out my faith and walk with You daily. Help me to rely on You to take me from a place of fear to a place of courage and faith.”