Courage

By Paul Chappell

"Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands."

1 Samuel 17:45-47

When you are confronted with what seems to be an overwhelming problem, how do you react? Do you cower in fear and look for a different way to reach your goal, or do you charge ahead, confident in what God has called you to do? It is impossible for us to win the victory apart from courage.

Famed World War II tank commander General George Patton said, “Courage is fear holding on a minute longer.” If you give in to your fears, you are on the path to defeat. If instead you stand strong in spite of your fears, you are on the path to victory. And we must never forget that we are not in the battle alone. With the power of God on our side, we cannot be defeated.

When David went out to fight Goliath, the Bible says he "hasted, and ran…to meet the Philistine" (1 Samuel 17:48). Even though Goliath was huge and heavily armed and David had only a sling, David’s faith gave him the courage to face and defeat his foe—and faith will do the same for you.

Today's Rooted Principle:

Be strong and courageous today. God is with you, and He will never leave or forsake you.