A New Year of Hope: Lay a New Foundation with Courage

As you think about celebrating the coming New Year, what would you like to accomplish in the days and months ahead that would be significant for you and others? It is possible for God to give you something purposeful that might seem out of bounds or even impossible considering your limitations. Remember, God has a way of making the impossible, possible.

What matters is your attitude that’s helped you cope with everything, including Covid, school, and work, just to name a few stressful issues. Yet upon close examination and honest consideration, there are an abundance of things to sincerely thank God for providing in a dreadful year.

What would you be willing for God to change so there could be hope for peace in the New Year? The Holy Spirit stands ready to give you courage to make reconciliations where there are divisions by reactivating hope for expressions of affection and peace. Be willing to respond positively to what God will provide in coming days.  

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May the Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and graciously given us encouragement that is eternal, and a hope that is well-founded, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good thing you do or say.

~2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 Williams – New Testament in the Language of the People

So cheer up! Take courage if you are depending on the Lord.

~Psalm 31:24 The Living Bible

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Courage Required – God Will Deliver

In times of uncertainty, courage based on faith in God’s goodness and provision is required to overcome anxiety and worry. The Greek philosopher Aristotle listed courage first among the four virtues necessary for happiness and success. The other three were self-control, justice and practical wisdom.

According to C. S. Lewis courage, an integral part of these virtues,  becomes apparent only as it is tested. In the Civil War novel, The Red Badge of Courage, a young soldier faces his first battle. As he calls on every ounce of courage he can muster, fear overtakes him, and he’s compelled to run away and hide.

When Samson was persuaded to surrender and face his enemy, he realized death was imminent and only God could deliver him. Instantly, a glimmer of transforming faith took place based on courage rather than self-pride and arrogance. It takes consent and courage to allow God to change you, so with praise and thanksgiving, do that now.  

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Oh, praise the Lord, for he has listened to my pleadings! He is my strength, my shield from every danger. I trusted in him, and he helped me. Joy rises in my heart until I burst out in songs of praise to him.

~Psalm 28:6-7 The Living Bible

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God, Giver of Confidence

 It takes confidence to be courageous, for confidence encompasses more than intelligence, social skills or physical strength. When Joshua succeeded Moses as leader of the Hebrew people, he inherited a task that would require patience and wisdom far beyond what he could humanly produce.

God commanded Joshua to be strong and courageous, to obey all of the commandments he gave to Moses. God promised to constantly be with him, which became Joshua’s source of confidence and courage for completing the task God gave him. Unlike Joshua, Samson's confidence derived from his own physical strength. 

Samson did not necessarily display courage when facing an enemy.  It was more like reckless abandonment. Courage analyzes a situation whereas reckless abandonment discounts caution. Listen to St. Paul’s formula for coping with life’s challenges and uncertainty. "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be people of courage; be strong. Do everything in love." Happy Thanksgiving week to you.  

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Remember that I have commanded you to be determined and confident! Do not be afraid or discouraged, for I the Lord your God, am with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9 Good News Bible

 

O, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his lovingkindness is everlasting.

~1 Chronicles 16:34 New American Standard Bible

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Standing with Moral Courage

Unexpected challenges test the depths of courage that exists in each person. The virtue of courage helps a person to stand firm even as fear screams out to flee. General Douglas MacArthur in a speech on his eighty-fourth birthday affirmed: "Moral courage, the courage of one's convictions, provides confidence to see things through.”  

Moral courage is not afraid to do or say what is right. Samson, however, was capable of risking his life and the wellbeing of his people just to satisfy his passion of the moment. He seemed to enjoy playing risk-taking, dangerous games with his enemies. Is this courage or foolish behavior? 

Courage that has a healthy foundation is based on sound judgment which contains an element of fear but is not controlled by it. Jesus demonstrated moral courage as he faced his accusers, whose main objective was his execution. God's word to you is to stand firm, be of good courage and do not give up. Happy Thanksgiving week to you. 

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But thank God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Stand firm then, my dear fellow Christians, and let nothing move you. Always keep on doing a great work for the Lord since you know in the Lord your hard work isn’t wasted.

~1 Corinthians 15:57-58 Beck – New Testament in the Language of Today

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