The call to be strong and courageous reverberates throughout Scripture. Moses charged Joshua to “be strong and of a good courage” to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 31:23)
God presented the same words Himself to Joshua after Moses’ death (Joshua 1:6).
In the New Testament, Jesus repeatedly called men and women to be bold and live out their faith without fear. Paula warned young Timothy there would be times he would have to “endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Tim 2:3).
But let’s face it: Life is hard and there are many days when we become overwhelmed. We don’t feel strong or courageous. We struggle to get out of bed, get going, and finish strong.
We don’t feel like smiling and if one more thing goes wrong we are going to lose it!
Honestly, we don’t have the strength to “endure hardness.” But Ephesians 6:10 reveals to us the source of strength we need to make it through every hard time, and every trying circumstance. The Lord is the source of that strength, and His power is immeasurable and
Psalm 18:2 – “The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.”
Psalm 27:1 – “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
Psalm 28:7 – “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.”
Our encouragement today is to trust in the Lord. To lean on His strength. To allow His power and ability to work in your life rather than meeting it with our finite strength.
There are few things more magical than dreaming of exchanging vows amidst the breathtaking scenery…