COURAGE THAT COMES FROM FAITH IN GOD

Another source of courage within us is our faith in our God. When our courage comes from our faith in God, we will do things that are beyond our imagination and understanding. We will go to places where we would never have thought of going. We will accomplish things that we thought we could never fulfill. The reason we do things beyond ourselves is that God is accomplishing them in and through us. A great example of this is when Peter walked on water. Who could have ever thought that a human being could walk on water? Peter courageously walked on water because of his faith in our Lord Jesus. Matthew 14:28-29 says, "And Peter answered Him and said, 'Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.' So He said, 'Come.' And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus." Another great example of this is when a teenage boy, David, courageously fought and killed the warrior champion of the Philistines. At 17 years old, he accomplished something that no one dared to do. Here's what David said to Goliath before he killed him, "You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven's Armies—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. (1 Samuel 17:45)!"

Since I decided to follow God's calling in my life as a missionary and a minister of the gospel of our Lord Jesus, I have gone to places where I would never have thought of going. When I was a missionary in the Philippines, I courageously went to anti-government territories that were dangerous to foreigners. God opened the door for me to go with the nationals to help them show the Jesus film and share the gospel with the people, and by God's grace, He protected me while I was there. When I came back to the US, God led me to start a soccer ministry that I didn't know anything about. When the source of our courage is our faith in God, we can do things that are beyond our understanding and strength because God is going to do it in and through us. God is going to provide us with everything that we need to fulfill what He is calling or asking us to do. 

God is encouraging us today to walk in faith in Him. Whatever He leads us to do, let us not be fearful but be courageous because He is going to accomplish it in and through us. God is faithful to fulfill His plan and purpose in our lives, even when it requires performing miracles. 

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) Why is my faith in God a great source of courage? What can I learn from Peter and David? Is there anything else that God showed me through today's devotion?

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them up to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, please help me to walk in my faith in you daily so that I may live courageously for you. You can do things in and through me that are beyond my understanding and strength. Thank you for the examples of Peter and David. Please help me to apply in my life what you have shown me today. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.