“9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
We tend to forget commands like this, but they even find their way into the New Testament. Look at Paul writing to his son in the faith, Timothy, in 2 Timothy 1:7.
“7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
God has not left you without the equipment to finish the job He has called you to. When life stands before you as a looming wall set to crush you, look to God! He has given you a spirit NOT OF FEAR. You have a spirit of power, love, and self-control. These have not been given to you in a partial sense. You are not waiting for the rest of your deposit to be released. You have been given this spirit in FULL.
Being strong and courageous reminds us of superheroes, firefighters, and military men. God defines being strong and courageous as determining to follow in His footsteps, to do as He said no matter what it may cost you, and to die to yourself in this life for the benefit of others and God’s glory. You have not been called to break into a burning building and rescue distressed damsels. You have been called to battle your sin to death, lay down your life for others, pick up your cross, and follow your blessed Savior.
Don’t give in to fear and anxiety today. Don’t give it in an inch. Follow Paul’s admonition in Romans 13:14.
“14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Dan
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