Courage to Remain and Believe Again

Every new beginning has the potential for unseen problems. Realizing some problems are beyond fixing may generate the impulse to retreat to a familiar comfort zone. However, seeking God’s insight and wisdom will give you courage to remain faithful to his purpose for you.

Moses encountered a stalemate with God’s people at Mount Sinai. He panicked at the thought of God’s withdrawing his protection because of the people’s sin. God had revealed himself to Moses, but still Moses needed assurance to squelch his fear of going forward without God’s presence.

Listen to Moses’ desperation from Exodus 33:12: "You have told me, lead these people, but you have not let me know who will assist me. You  said, `I know you and have found favor with you.` If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I will be assured you favor me." If you’re at a dead end with your faith, ask God for courage to believe again. Prepare yourself spiritually to receive his response.

___________

So you must never give up your confident courage, for it holds a rich reward for you. Indeed, to carry out the will of God and to receive the blessing he has promised, you need endurance.

~Hebrews 10:35-36 Williams – New Testament in the Language of the People

___________

Subscribe to the Attitudes Answers podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear this and other 2-minute features 3 days every week. 

Facing Darkness in God's Light

When Joseph arrived in Egypt as a slave, his future looked dark and scary. It's difficult to imagine what life as a slave would have been like four thousand years ago. Joseph had to adapt to a new language, a different culture and strange religious practices. Joseph was a healthy teenager, so a person of prominence saw him as a good buy.

 

          Potiphar, an official of Pharaoh and captain of his bodyguards, purchased Joseph to serve in his home. Genesis 39:2 states factually that "The Lord greatly blessed Joseph in the home of Potiphar so everything he did was a success.” God is with us especially in the darkest days of abandonment and despair.

          God's word does not indicate Joseph became angry and blamed God for his troubles. The fact that God chose to bless Joseph demonstrates God’s faithfulness as he settled into life as a slave. Regardless of what you’re facing, trust God's continual presence and be encouraged by the goodness he provides each day.  

______________________

The Lord is my light and my salvation; I will fear no one.

The Lord protects me from all danger; I will never be afraid.

~Psalm 27:1 Good News Bible

Devastated and Desperate...but Not Alone

What Joseph's brothers did to him was evil and confirms that evil existed then as it does now. We're surprised when evil disrupts or destroys the foundation upon which we’ve anchored our lives. Whatever good there is to do, the enemy delights in sabotaging that good.

Joseph’s brothers hated him and determined to destroy his peace and security. Joseph surely felt excruciatingly alone as he was forced to leave his home and family. His brothers arrogantly seized the special coat their father had made for Joseph, so he had nothing to hold on to. 

Imagine the desperation Joseph felt as he faced an uncertain future. The enormity of the changes he endured must have been devastating. Yet his faith in Jehovah God sustained him during the dark days of fear and desperation. Psalm 119 portrays that faith. “Keep me far away from every wrong, O God, and help me obey your laws for I choose to do right.” That can be your hope and choice as you go toward an uncertain future. 

_________________ 

But now, God’s Message, the God who made you in the first place, Jacob, the One who got you started, Israel:

“Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called your name. You’re mine. When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you. When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down. When you’re between a rock and a hard place, it won’t be a dead end — Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior.”

~ISAIAH 43:1-3a The Message