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.

We began this series with these questions:

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’?

We examined these Biblical references of good courage through the centuries

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

We thought about the verb ‘be’ as a state of mind rather than 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.

Now let’s focus on the promise given in verse 14.

¹⁴Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Wait = to remain in a state of repose until something expected happens

to be available or in readiness

Strengthen = to make stronger; give strength to.

Heart = the center of the total personality, especially with reference to intuition, feeling or emotion

What does ‘good courage’ look like?

Acknowledge that God alone is the solution, not you and me

Surrender to the authority of God – He has the power. You and I do not.

Expect that God will provide the strength needed for the situation

Praise God continually- God loves His own.

Trust God to act in His own way and in His own time- His plan for you and me is good.

Obey God’s instructions- He will use you and me to accomplish His purposes.

What else do you see in God’s promise?
My hope is in the Lord Who gave Himself for me,

And paid the price of all my sin at Calvary.

Refrain:
For me He died, For me He lives,
And everlasting life and light He freely gives.
For me He died, For me He lives,
And everlasting life and light He freely gives.

No merit of my own His anger to suppress.
My only hope is found in Jesus’ righteousness.

And now for me He stands Before the Father’s throne.
He shows His wounded hands and names me as His own.

His grace has planned it all, ‘Tis mine but to believe,
And recognize His work of love and Christ receive.

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