Courage - “mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear or difficulty.” 

If there was ever a time that we needed courage for the journey - it’s today!  I don’t have to tell you all the things that are challenging us today.  There are those obvious things that challenge us and those things that are not so obvious to others that maybe only we know.  But whether seen or unseen we realize we need courage to venture out, persevere or to be able to withstand the fears and difficulties that we face. Sometimes we feel that we are all alone to face them.  I can’t imagine journeying through this life without Jesus in my life.  But even as Christ followers we sometimes find it hard to muster up the courage we need to face our giants.

The bible is full of examples to encourage us to have “courage for the journey” - in life and death!  It’s not based upon feeling, emotions or human strength or wisdom but on the God of the Bible.  God has even commanded us to be “strong and courageous, do not fear or be afraid.”

God is most glorified in us when we are most dependent on His strength, not our own!  As followers of Christ we can stand upon the promises of God!  God’s word never fails.  A promise is only as good as its source.  We have all been the recipients of promises not kept, either intentionally or unintentionally.  But God never fails.  He promises He goes with us and before us and that He never leave us!  If you are feeling like you lack courage for what you’re facing, turn to Jesus, seek His face and His word and He will give you just what you need at your point of need - He is always just in time!  I love the old hymn “Standing on the promises” - “standing on the promises that cannot fail, when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail, by the living word of God I shall prevail, standing on the promises of God!”

“God hath not promised skies always blue - flower strewn pathways all our lives through - God hath not promised sun without rain - joy without sorrow - peace without pain.  God hath not promised we shall not know toil and temptation - trouble and woe - He hath not told us we shall not bear many a burden - many a care.  But - God hath promised strength for the day - rest for the laborer - light for the way - grace for the trials - help from above - unfailing sympathy - undying love.” - Annie Flint

Pastor Rodney