The Reason for Our Strength and Courage

UV 3642/10000 The Reason for Our Strength and Courage Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble in dread before them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not fail you or abandon you. Deuteronomy 31 v 6 Moses in his final exhortation of Israel spoke the words of this uni-verse. He had led Israel from captivity through the desert to Canaan, the promised land. He exhorted the Israelites that they should be strong and courageous. The reason for their strength and courage and victory Moses attributed unequivocally to the fact that the Lord their God had gone with them. He further asserted that the Lord would never fail them or abandon them. They did not have to fear their enemies, however formidable. They did not have to feel disappointed with temporary reverses. Indeed, strength and courage are synonymous. Our faith and trust of the Lord is the source of our strength and courage. Like the Israelites under Moses, we do not rely on our physical or intellectual prowess or abilities but on the Lord. If we focus on the locus, Jesus, the Logos or the Word, the Lord will fill us with strength and courage. We should not allow fear or regret or disappointment sidetrack us. Fears and worries are the locusts that feed on our strength and joy. The Word or Logos therefore says, “ The joy of the Lord is my strength.” As long as we delight in the Lord and His presence with us, His personal relationship with us, we are spiritually strong and hence, bound to be mentally, emotionally and morally courageous. Courage enables us to take a stand for the Lord. When we stand for the Lord, no man or array of forces can stand against us. As He was with Moses and Joshua, He is with us. He is with us as a mighty fortress, as a great warrior, as an impenetrable shield, as a victorious sword or invincible weapon. Even if we think that we have only the wall to our back, He holds our rear. He will not leave us or forsake us. He will not give us up or give up on us. We must stick to Him like a leech. He will fortify or strengthen us from within. He will also send us assistance or reinforcements required to withstand the enemy. Under the new covenant, He has made us more than conquerors like Moses or Joshua. For unlike conquerors, we do not have to fight or shed our own blood. Unlike conquerors who can be defeated or overcome by death in battle or due to natural reasons, spiritual death forever, death has lost its sting for us. It cannot hurt us for Jesus has overcome death. Death has been swallowed by victory in Christ. Unlike great conquerors, we, therefore, do not have to even fear death.