8 Biblical Words to Renew Courage
Over and over again the Word of God tells us to ‘be of good courage.’ Unfortunately, when the world appears to implode around us, when we are doing things we are unfamiliar with, or when God calls us to something bigger than we had imagined… we can be drawn into the lie of fear, and away from our call to be courageous. But God knew our courage would be tested, and He acted. And He not only gave us His Spirit, His peace, and His love to draw us into this truth of courage, He gave us His Word!
Join us as we explore 8 biblical words to renew courage!
Courage… Why is it Important?
Before we explore biblical words to renew courage, it is important for us to understand what Godly courage is, and why it is so important for Believers to walk in that courage.
Courage, in a biblical sense, is really a form of trust and faith in God. Yes, like non-biblical uses of courage, there is a bit of bravery in overcoming real or imagined fears, but Godly courage is richer and fuller, because God is at the center.
“God did not give us a spirit of fear” (2 Timothy 1:7). When we tap into this truth, accepting that all of our faith and trust rests in God… then unlike courage that the world gives—of action despite the presence of fear—we can overcome fear, often destroying it entirely! We can walk in faith and supernatural peace, which is beyond earthly understanding (see John 14:27, John 16:33, and Mark 4:35-41)!
It is in this very realization that God did not give us a spirit of fear that tells us why courage is so important. Because fear is contrary to God. He did not create us to be controlled by fear, but instead to walk in courage. To be a light; to not fear darkness but battle against it with Godly characteristics.
God lives in us! This alone should be enough to cause us to step out in faith—in renewed courage—to trust that He has everything under control!
8 Biblical Words to Renew Courage
- “Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, ‘Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it.’”—Deuteronomy 31:7
This was a time when Joshua was being set before the children of Israel as their new leader; the man God would use to lead them in taking the Promised Land. Joshua was not fearful of taking the land, for he, and one other of the twelve spies sent into the Promised Land, said that they were well able to take the land. But leading a people was not something Joshua had done, and Moses knew this new responsibility might be intimidating. He knew that Joshua would need to be of good courage.
Many people fear promotion and the responsibility it brings, but when God is the one who sets us in position… When He is the one who promotes us… We should not fear, because He is in control. We should be strong and of good courage!
- “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.”—Joshua 1:7
Here God is commissioning Joshua, setting before him essentially what He expects of Joshua and what Joshua can expect from Him if he stays in God’s ways.
And when God commissions us—setting us into our purpose to complete all that is written in our Heavenly books—certain things will be expected of us. We will be expected to listen to God, to walk in His ways, not step out of our calling, and of course, to be strong and very courageous! Yet at the same time, expecting wonderful things for His Kingdom purposes working through us, and prospering wherever we go! Fully trusting that He will be with us every step of the way!
- “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord!”—Psalm 27:14
Psalm 27 is titled, “An Exuberant Declaration of Faith,” and is one of the Psalms of David. Yet, the faith spoken of in this chapter ties directly into Godly courage.
By waiting on the Lord we are choosing to enter into faith, which in turn opens the way for us to be of good courage. As Psalm 27:14 says, when we do this, He strengthens us! And when God is with us, strengthening our hearts, there is no reason to fear!
- “Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”—Psalm 31:24
Psalm 31 is titled, “The Lord a Fortress in Adversity,” and is one of the Psalms of David. This entire chapter reminds us that God is indeed a fortress to us, and this knowledge increases our faith, allowing us to walk in courage!
God is our defense. Our fortress. He will strengthen the hearts of those who hope in Him! And in this surety, we can walk in courage!
- “Everyone helped his neighbor, and said to his brother, ‘Be of good courage!’”—Isaiah 41:6
Isaiah 41:1-20 is a prophetic word about Israel being assured of God’s help.
When we hope in the Lord—when we have faith and trust that He will help us—then courage comes. Not only for our own walk, but so that we have the courage to help others, encouraging them to walk in Godly courage as well. Our own courage being a light in the darkness; a sign of God’s goodness and strength.
- “Be of good courage, and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the Lord do what is good in His sight.”—2 Samuel 10:12; 1 Chronicles 19:13
This Scripture is an important reminder of why courage is important not only for us, but also for those we encounter, and for our Kingdom call. When we are promoted to positions of authority, it brings an increasing level of responsibility—not only to serve God and walk in His ways, but to be courageous. And this courage impacts more than our immediate circle. It highlights the light and love of God wherever we are called to go. We are meant to serve as a light, an example, to those we encounter and to those we have authority over. Walking in faith-filled courage is an important part of this.
And when we promote courage and strength within others, while directing their gaze toward God, God’s Kingdom prospers. Because fear moves the enemy. But faith moves God!
- “Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed before the king of Assyria, nor before all the multitude that is with him; for there are more with us than with him.”—2 Chronicles 32:7
For those living in this biblical moment, it would have been easy to fear if they took the situation in via their carnal minds. But simply by switching from a carnal to a spiritual view, strength and courage became the natural response. Because in the natural the Israelite army was outnumbered, but in the spiritual realm the army of the Lord—His angels—far outnumbered the enemy.
When we view circumstances through the world’s view—through physical eyes—finding courage is often difficult. But when we view circumstances through spiritual eyes, we see the true picture. We see that things are not as dire as we imagine, because God is always with us. Because He is alive, on the throne, and neither slumbers nor sleeps!
- “Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.”—Mark 15:43
This is one of the most interesting examples of courage in the Word, and one that speaks loudly of alignment with God and the courage we as Believers are meant to possess.
Knowing who Jesus was, Joseph of Arimathea was aligned and in tune with God’s design—understanding the times and seasons. And yet, to request the body of Jesus, to place Jesus in the tomb he had for himself and his family… that took courage. Almost all of the religious leaders were against Jesus, and to be bold enough to stand by Jesus, particularly after He was crucified was something that could have ruined Joseph’s reputation in the natural, or even put his life in danger. But he saw the bigger picture and stood up in courage. He saw the eternal view.
As Believers we want to stand by Jesus. To stand in faith. But sometimes in doing so we risk our earthly reputations. It takes courage. But when we look at the bigger picture. When we understand the times and seasons. Then courage stands as the best and most natural option.
Our God has not given us a spirit of fear. Instead He has called us to walk in courage! To stand strong in our faith and move forward in His will, even when we do not understand. Even when there are easier options.
It is time for us to walk in the ways of God. To stand fast in Him and obey His command to, ‘be strong and of good courage!’