Summary: Courage is a characteristic of God’s people, and we need to know how it is developed.

Courage

VCC July 23, 2000

Going into Promised Land

Numbers 13:26ff, 10 spies

God has provision for eachof us, yet some wander in the wilderness for years and years because they don’t have the courage to go forth in faith and possess the land.

Hebrew = “amats” which means to strengthen, secure, harden, make firm,make obstinate, to be determined, to make oneself alert

Often used of an army when they knew they were facing a battle. They would fortify themselves, strengthen their position, make sure there were no weak areas in wall, get ready for battle.

Ru 1:18 When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.

13:20...Be ye of good courage

There will always be GIANTS, Walled Cities, enemies, to keep you from what God has promised.

Exodus 6:6-8, God had promised to bring them to the land.

The did not b elieve because of the hard bondage of enemy, they belived before the bricks without straw.

Courage is necessary

1Co 16:13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.

Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Courage is needed for difficult tasks

Joshua 1:6-9

He had giants, fortified cities, high walls, flooded streams, strong enemies to go against.

Deut 31:6,,31-- Constantly be told to be of good courage.

Joshua 2, It took courage for Rahab to hid the 2 spies in Jericho on the roof.

Jeremiah 1:7,8

he was going to be mocked, ridiculed, imprisoned, almost killed, laughed at,

1 Chron 22;13* -- Solomon

Haggai 2:4

to Zerubbabel, Joshua, and people to do a work in the land. It looked as if all that had begun has stopped, but God said He was still working!

Zech 8:9 -- They had to be strong to build the temple.

Jesus in Garden needed courage to go on

Enemy wants us to quit, to give up

It takes courage to do what is right, take up your cross, follow Jesus with all your heart.

The danger is to compromise, be half-hearted.

It takes courage to step out of the BOAT into the storm! Yet, for many that is required to really come to Jesus.

How to develop Courage

Numbers 14:24-- Caleb follows me wholeheartedly.

Exodus 33:11– When Moses left the tent where the presence of God was, Joshua stayed. He spent time lingering in the presence of God.

Ac 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

Joshua 1:8– Meditate on Word, speak Word, do Word

Obedience to Lord

Isa 32:17 The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence for ever.

1Jo 3:21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God

Encouragement and support from others

Ac 28:15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.

1 Chron. 15:8– When Asa heard the Word of the prophet, he took courage and put away idols.

Job 16:5 But I would strengthen you with my mouth, and the moving of my lips should asswage your grief.

De 3:28 But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: