This phrase is from the King James and means to be brave...to be strong...to act manly. Now if you are anything like me you probably hate when someone tells you to be strong and act like a man. There are many variations of this one saying, but they all mean the same thing...get a grip. Find your courage. You know what, sometimes, in fact many times, my courage just isn't there. As I get older, I find it weakening and faltering more and more. Losses are multiplying, sin abounds in the world around me and illness takes its toll. The things I used to be able to do to feel strong...are no longer possible. I realize more and more that I AM NOT IN CONTROL OF ANYTHING AND I HATE IT!
What is a body to do? I mean this is Scripture...and it is telling me...no, it commands me...to quit ye like a man and you know...I REALLY CAN'T. So what does God mean in saying this. I searched the Scriptures further...I had to. I came up with much that encouraged and strengthened my heart.
Beloved believer here is the bottom line...Our God does not ask us to be strong in ourselves and in our own power...He asks us to be strong in Him! He is the one who does it all. Read the following verses from Joshua, Chapter 1, verses 6,7,8,and 9.
Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
The key is in the last few words...for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. The presence of the Lord eradicates fear and faint-heartedness. It is His courage and strength that we walk in. He is there. He is with us. He upholds us and bears us up. What is our job? We are to immerse ourselves in His Word, meditating on it day and night. We are also to be doers of it...the blessing is always in the doing. We are to stay in His will not looking to the left hand or to the right It is then that our way will be prosperous...it is then that we will have good success. Our God prepares us for whatever we will face as we diligently study His word daily. He arms us with His strength, His knowledge and His presence. It is only in Christ and His strength that we can quit like a man!
We walk by faith and not by sight. It is so easy to think we know better than God....especially when our circumstances look impossible and we have not been washing ourselves daily with His truth. Faith does not look at what is seen. Faith obeys no matter how things look from a human perspective. Faith puts its trust in God. It surrenders all! Psalm 27:14 tells us to wait on the Lord and be of good courage and He shall strengthen our heart. What a place of rest we come to when we can truly place all the issues of life in His hands. No fretting...no matter what happens we are trusting God. We are standing fast in Him! Immersed in His word and aware of His presence we cannot be thrown off balance by anything the enemy might throw at us! We fight from victory and it is not our battle...it is the Lord's.
Read with me some verses from the book of Daniel, Chapter 10...
Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.”
When he had spoken such words to me, I turned my face toward the ground and became speechless. And suddenly, one having the likeness of the sons of men touched my lips; then I opened my mouth and spoke, saying to him who stood before me, “My lord, because of the vision my sorrows have overwhelmed me, and I have retained no strength. For how can this servant of my lord talk with you, my lord? As for me, no strength remains in me now, nor is any breath left in me.”
Then again, the one having the likeness of a man touched me and strengthened me. And he said, “O man greatly beloved, fear not! Peace be to you; be strong, yes, be strong!”
So when he spoke to me I was strengthened, and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”
How beautiful is that? The awareness of God...His voice, His touch, His presence with us and His love for us strengthens us and brings us peace.
Be of good courage, immerse yourself in His word... be strong and stand fast for the people God has placed in our lives. We are in a battle...eternity is at stake. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh. And may the Lord do what is good in His sight!
