Where is Courage?

“For the believer, fear is always God—fearful. If God is sovereign and His rule is complete, wise, righteous, and good, why would you fear?”

Paul David Tripp*

Hezekiah, king of Judah, knew in moments like these (Judah’s invasion by Assyria) God’s people were often given to fear; he knew where that fear came from.

Often in moments of challenge the people of God panic because they possess what we call “identity amnesias’. Today, really is no different. We too often forget who we are as children of God and we forget who God is in all His almighty power and glory.

We must not forget Hezekiah’s challenge to his people – listen!

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him…with him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help and to fight our battles”

(2 Chronicles 32:7—8).

We may not have the army of Assyria knocking on our door, but we all have an “Assyria” in our life…maybe two!

There will be a moment when you will ask, ‘Where is courage to be found to face what I am facing?’

Hezekiah gives us the answer – “Look up and remember YOUR God.” As God’s child, you are never left to battle on your own!

“¹² I, even I, am He that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; ¹³ And forgettest the Lord thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor? ¹⁴ The captive exile hasteneth that he may be loosed, and that he should not die in the pit, nor that his bread should fail. ¹⁵  But I am the Lord thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The Lord of hosts is His name. ¹⁶ And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people. ¹⁷ Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem…” (Isaiah 51: 12–16 & 17).

*A special thank you to Paul David Tripp for walking in the spirit of God and sharing that walk with thousands. In this blog post there have been excerpts from his devotional called: New Morning Mercies (January 9). If you do not have this book I highly recommend that you purchase it. It has been an extreme blessing to my soul and you will be glad you did (he didn’t tell me to say that).

In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}