Psalm 27:¹³ I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. ¹⁴Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Does this reference mean you and I can have ‘good courage’ by trusting in the goodness of the LORD and waiting for His solution in difficult circumstances?

Would trusting in ourselves and our own abilities and resources be ’bad courage’?

What do you know of the goodness of the LORD?

Checking the concordance, I was amazed to see how often the Bible refers to ‘good courage’.

In this series we will examine these occurrences to answer these questions.

Paul gives reason for good courage

Hebrews 13:⁵ Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. ⁶So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

What did you learn about the goodness of the LORD in this passage?

In this series we have examined:

Good Courage in 1450-1410 B.C.

Spying the Promised Land – Numbers 13

Moses forbidden to enter the Promised Land – Deuteronomy 31

The LORD reveals their future and instructs the Israelites to prepare – Deuteronomy 31

 Good Courage in 14^th century B.C.

The LORD instructs Joshua to take the Promised Land – Joshua 1

Victory in the Promised Land – Joshua 10

Good Courage in 10^th century B.C.

David sings of the LORD- Psalm 31

Israel against the Syrians and children of Ammon – 2 Samuel 10

Good Courage in 8^th century B.C.

Isaiah extols the greatness of God –Isaiah 40

Idol worshipers react by encouraging each other to fashion more idols –Isaiah 41

Isaiah reminds Israel of the LORD – Isaiah 41

 Good Courage in 5^th century B.C.

Israel seeks God’s forgiveness and hope- Ezra 10

Good Courage in 33 A.D.

Paul gives reason for good courage – Hebrews 13

 In this examination of the Biblical references for: Be of good courage, it strikes me that the verb is ‘be’. I was thinking good courage is something for you and me to possess, some attribute to grab hold of. According to dictionary.com, one definition of the word ’be’ is: to occupy a place or position. How can you and I occupy the place of waiting on God to strengthen us and resolve the issue?

The Lord will provide – Martha Cook, 1870

1. In some way or other the Lord will provide;

In some way or other the sea will divide
It may not be my time, It may not be thy time,
But in His own time, The Lord will provide.

2. Despond then no longer, The Lord will provide;

Just trust Him the stronger. The sea will divide.

And this be your token—No word He hath spoken
Has ever been broken: “The Lord will provide.”

3. March on, then, with courage, The Lord will provide;

And be not discouraged whatever betide
The pathway made glorious, With shoutings victorious,
We’ll join in the chorus: “The Lord will provide.”

Hearts Courageous

Give us ears to hear that still, small voice,

And give us lips, forever willing to rejoice.

And may our eyes be lit with wisdom, May we know the path that’s true,

And we’ll march with hearts courageous after You.

We’re marching on… with hearts courageous,

We’ll follow where You want us to.

And should you lead us where the battle rages,

Let us march with hearts courageous, after You.

And when sorrow dims the light along our way,

Help us to see each time of darkness through eyes of faith,

A time for hope, a time for courage, Knowing you will lead us through.

And let us march with hearts courageous, after You.

We’re marching on… with hearts courageous,

We’ll follow where you want us to.

And should you lead us where the battle rages

Let us march with hearts courageous, after You.

We’re marching on… with hearts courageous,

We’ll follow where you want us to.

And should you lead us where the battle rages,

Let us march with hearts courageous, after You.

Let us march with hearts courageous, after You.

Our focus = Hebrews 12:¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, ² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Our challenge = Dearly Beloved,

Run with your eyes on Jesus alone!

Run in faith that Jesus loves you, has uniquely designed and created only one you, has a good plan for your life, runs with you and will accomplish His purposes for you and through you!

Run in His strength alone!

Run with your eyes on the prize!

Run with the desire to finish strong!

Run with the desire to finish with your lamp burning!

Run with the expectation of being in His physical presence when you cross your finish line!

Run to His glory alone!

Run and keep on running!

Coach Patti