Be Strong and of good Courage

That phrase is used a lot in the OT.  I have found it multiple times.  There is something special about that phrase.  Its what God tells Joshua when Moses has died.  Its what multiple kings say to the people to bring about their reliance on God.  It is something that I have held onto when I am having struggles in my life.  So, thats what I wanted to mention here.  It has seemed to me that when, over the past month, I am having a rough time personally, that this phrase has come up.  Or if I am struggling through a passage of scripture, this phrase comes up.  I admit that learning how many of any tribe did something for the temple isn’t my idea of highly entertaining or motivating reading.  That learning who came from who can be a bit redundant.  However, God is there to urge us on, reminding us that we should remain “strong and of good courage”. 

I know that many times in my life I need that extra nudge.  I can be hesitant and question whether or not I will make it through something that God would want me to experience.  The thing that really drives home the point to me is that every time this phrase is used, its always with assurances that God will provide (paraphrased).  God will be there to allow you to make it through whatever is going to happen.  I can’t think of a time when they use this phrase and its not about conflict of some sort.  Its a reminder, to me at least, that when I think things are getting rough and that I don’t know if it will get any better, all I have to do is be strong and of good courage cause God will get me through anything.  I have to lean on Him, but He will make a way for me.  God is faithful to me, even when I am unfaithful to Him.  Praise His Holy Name for that!

I may be just spouting off strange and incoherent messages here, but I just was thinking about that the other day.  I hope that this phrase brings as much comfort to others as it does to me.  I keep thinking of a praise song, don’t know the name of it, but it says “Savior, He can move the mountains, Our God is mighty to save, He is mighty to save”.  I think about that whenever I think about this phrase, here recently at least.  I need to “be strong” and stand and allow God to save me, cause He can.

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