Be Strong and Courageous

Walking RosieImage by deltaMike via Flickr

Be strong and courageous
Deut. 1:6

When you try something for the first time, or something you've already failed at, you need courage. Remember learning to walk? First you tried standing on shaky limbs, smiled in short-lived triumph, kept falling down, cried in frustration, and got back up until you mastered the art of standing. Something inside you told you that you were meant for more than just lying in a crib. Then came the next stage; walking. Sounds simple enough; but it wasn't. That's because wobbling always precedes walking. And that's the difference between adults and infants. As an infant you weren't image-conscious. You just saw arms outstretched toward you and heard a loving voice saying, 'Come on, you can do it!' And you've been walking ever since! That's why God says to anyone stepping into unknown territory, 'Be strong and courageous.' The word 'be' really means 'become.'

Courage is a quality you grow into, like filling bigger shoes. The more you walk in them, the more comfortable they get. It's not like a software program where you simply enter your password and 'hey presto,' you're courageous! Courage comes from spending time with God, seeing His arms outstretched toward you and hearing Him say, 'Come on, you can do it, I'm with you!'

On New Year's Eve the late King George read these wonderful words to the British people: 'I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year, "Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown" and he replied, "Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way!"' .

Copied from UCB Word for Today. Free issues are available here for the UK and Republic of Ireland

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Comments

Wanda said…
What a beautiful picture of the gate, and the comentary is so so inspiring.

Who need light, when we can hold the hand of THE LIGHT!

The picture reminds me of the book Pilgrims Progress and all the gates he had to go through to get to the Enchanted City of Heaven.
Courage...The analogy of walking is wonderful! And the Spirit of God can truly move us in the right direction. Thanks be to God!!! Cathy
Bestemor Aud said…
I found your comment on one of the other Norwegians blogg.
I was impressed by your photo skills. Suppose you have a good camera too! Beautiful!
But most of all I enjoyed your words - finding a believing brother who shares what he has found. You are a light in a dark world! Thank you!
God bless you in the new year!
(Maybe I shall try to make my own blogg awailable to English readers!? I have not been blogging for a long time - and am not very good at it.)
Becky Wolfe said…
I really feel like I'll be treading into the unknown in 2008 but thankfully, I have lots of supportive arms reaching towards me saying 'you can do it' as I live day by day. And even when those supportive arms seem scarce, God is always reaching down with his encouragement.

Great post. Thanks for sharing it.

Happy 2008!
Paulie said…
Absolutely something to remember. . . and what peace it brings!
a woman who is said…
'Be strong and courageous.' The word 'be' really means 'become.'

Courage is a quality you grow into, like filling bigger shoes. The more you walk in them, the more comfortable they get.

I love that. Especially when charting new territory with the King.
Angie said…
Excellent. Oh how I need courage. In my own strength, I fail miserably. I need His strong arms daily!
Susan Skitt said…
What a great quote... go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God!

There's no better place to be than in His Almighty Hand, safe forever :)

Happy New Year my friend!
"BETTER THAN LIGHT AND SAFER THAN A KNOWN WAY"-
oh, I love that.
Gudl said…
That is a great devotional! Good reminder.
Janice said…
Well God just seems to be speaking to me from your blog. I am going through one of the biggest trials of my life right now. Your post was perfect for me.
God Bless,
Janice
Anonymous said…
The comment by George vi was made in his Christmas broadcast in 1939.Quite auspicious don't you think?

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