Courage is not the absence of fear, but doing things you are afraid to do. As we draw closer to God, we enter into new areas and seasons in our lives. Going to the next level often requires courage. When we try new things with a courageous attitude we are setting ourselves up to be successful on the path toward the amazing destiny that God has for us. We need to continue pushing forward with excitement and gain momentum to reach our destinies.
God Tells Us to Be Courageous
(9) Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
What does God tell us?
What is His promise?
Why do you think we should be courageous?
An Example of Courage: David
(45) David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
(46) This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.
(47) All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord ’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”
(48) As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him.
(49) Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.
(50) So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.
How did David show his courage?
What was the outcome?
(34) But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock,
(35) I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it.
(36) Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God.
(37) The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.”
How had David practiced courage?
How Do We Grow in Courage?
(4) You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
Who gives us courage?
(5) No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
What does God promise us?
(45) David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
(46) This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel.
(47) All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord ’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.”
What attitude did David have in this situation?
What kind of attitude should we have?
Ask a Friend
Do you think you are a courageous person? Have you ever experienced success because you stepped out in courage and attempted something you were afraid to do?
Application
How can you step out and be more courageous?
Prayer Model
Lord, thank You that You are with me. Help me overcome my fears. Help me to be courageous when I face challenging situations.
Key Verse
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
