GOD'S COURAGEOUS COMMAND

By: Dennis Harworth

I never get tired of being encouraged by the Word of God, especially when I need it.  There are too many times when I am frail in my faith, frustrated from my failures, and afraid of my future.  Have you ever been there?  You know you desperately need a divine “boost” to strengthen and encourage you, but you don’t know where to turn.  One of my favorite “go to” scriptures is Joshua 1:9: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

 Notice that this verse is not just a suggestion.  It’s a divine command backed by the powerful promises of supernatural strength, courage, and fearless confidence in God’s unshakeable presence – wherever you go and with every step you take!  This strength and courage are not based on how we feel; they’re a response of obedience to God.

The Lord showed me that true courage comes from trusting Him.  It doesn’t come from trying to muster up confidence in your own strength or ability.  Courage is not something you can stir up emotionally or mentally.  True courage comes directly from faith in God and trust in the One who goes with us, before us, and within us.  It comes from believing what God says, even when the situation around me looks completely opposite. When you choose to believe God’s Word above what you see, feel, or fear, courage rises up. As Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” The more you feed your spirit with truth, the stronger your faith grows—and with that faith comes the boldness to do what God says you can do.

 Realize that dismay and discouragement come from fear and unbelief.  It takes root when you listen to the enemy’s lies—when you start to doubt God’s promises or His willingness to act on your behalf.  The devil is relentless in whispering lies: “God won’t come through for you. You're not enough. You’ll fail again.”  But these are nothing more than deceitful tactics to paralyze you with fear and keep you from walking in your calling.

As a believer, you must rise up and shake off every trace of discouragement!  Stop focusing on your own weaknesses, past failures, and limitations, and fix your eyes on the unlimited power of God.  You weren’t called to survive in fear—you are commissioned to advance in faith.  It’s time to stand up in the authority we have been given through Jesus Christ and establish the rule of heaven here on earth.

I had to come to a point where I said, “Enough is enough.”  I refuse to listen to the devil’s voice any longer. I will no longer accept his evil reports over my life, my future, or my identity. I am a child of the Most High God!  I’ve been given power and authority over all the power of the enemy, just as Jesus said in Luke 10:19.  The enemy no longer gets to drag me through anxiety, torment, or fear of the unknown.  God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).  I now choose to walk in that soundness of mind, anchored in the truth of His Word.  As Ephesians 6:10 exhorts us, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”

Don’t miss this: God didn’t simply encourage you to be strong and courageous—He commanded it!  That means it’s not optional.  When God commands something, He also will empower you to do it.  So today, choose to stand firm and be strong and courageous, not in your own might, but in the strength of Almighty God.  He is with you wherever you go—and that changes everything.  So, go in fearless confidence of victory when you obey GOD’S COURAGEOUS COMMAND!