There are times in life when we desperately need someone to say to us, “Take Courage!” or “Take Heart!” I’ll never forget one such moment. I stood at the edge of a cliff, harnessed and ready to rappel backwards into the abyss. I looked down, and it was a long, long way to the bottom. I’d never done this before, and my heart pounded with fear. My friend, who had secured my rope to a sturdy tree, met my anxious gaze and said, “Just push off backwards. You’ll be okay. You’re tied to a tree.” Those words steadied me. They reminded me that I wasn’t alone, that I was supported, and that I could trust the rope and the tree to hold me.
Life often feels like that cliff. Maybe you’re facing an overwhelming situation, a recent layoff, an uncertain future, or a serious health challenge. Perhaps it’s not a life-and-death scenario, but you’re wrangling a house full of crazy kids who have a knack for frazzling your nerves. At one time or another, we all need to hear God say, “Take courage.” Thankfully, Scripture is filled with such encouragements, offering us reasons to stand firm in the face of fear. In this post, we’ll explore five biblical reasons we can take courage, diving into the passages, unpacking key words from the original languages, and applying these truths to our lives using the English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible.
Because God Himself Is with Us
When we’re discouraged, it’s easy to feel isolated, as if we’re facing our challenges alone. But God assures us that we’re not. One of the clearest examples comes from Joshua 1:9, where God speaks to Joshua as he steps into leadership after Moses’ death:
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
This verse comes at a turning point. Joshua is about to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land, a task fraught with danger and uncertainty. God’s words are a command: “Be strong and courageous.” In Hebrew, “strong” is chazaq (חָזַק), meaning to be firm or steadfast, while “courageous” is amats (אָמַץ), implying alertness and bravery. Together, they call for unwavering resolve and fearless action.
The foundation for this courage? “For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” God’s presence isn’t passive; it’s active and constant. This promise echoes in Deuteronomy 31:6, where Moses encourages the Israelites before they enter the land:
"Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you."
Here again, chazaq and amats appear, paired with the assurance that God “goes with you” and “will not leave you or forsake you.” The Hebrew verb for “leave” (rapah, רָפָה) suggests abandoning or letting go, and “forsake” (azab, עָזַב) implies desertion. God’s promise is emphatic: He won’t let go; He won’t abandon us.
What does this mean for us? The Creator of the universe, the all-powerful One, is right here with us. He’s not far off or uninvolved. When we don’t know what to do, He does. He’s never tired, never weary, never takes a break. Whether you’re facing a daunting diagnosis or a chaotic day with the kids, take courage, God Himself is with you.
Because God Has a Plan for Us
Life’s uncertainties can paralyze us, but God reminds us that He has a plan. In Acts 23:11, Paul finds himself in a dire situation—arrested in Jerusalem, facing a hostile crowd, and uncertain of his fate. Then, the Lord appears to him:
"The following night the Lord stood by him and said, ‘Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.’"
The phrase “take courage” is tharseo (θαρσέω) in Greek, meaning to be of good cheer or confident. Jesus doesn’t promise Paul an easy escape but a purpose: he will testify in Rome. This assurance gives Paul courage, not because the path is smooth, but because God’s plan is sure.
The word “must” (dei, δεῖ) underscores divine necessity. God’s sovereign will is at work. Paul can trust that his trials are part of a bigger story. This mirrors God’s promise in Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you… plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” God has a plan for each of His children, and He will fulfill it.
Maybe you’re wondering what God is doing in your life right now. A layoff might feel like a dead end, but God sees the next chapter. An uncertain future might loom large, but He’s already charted the course. We do not have to carve out a destiny; God is accomplishing His work through us, and He never fails to complete His plans. So, take courage, God has a purpose for you, and He’s guiding your steps.
Because Jesus Has Overcome the World
Trials are a reality of life, but Jesus offers a greater reality. In John 16:33, He prepares His disciples for what’s ahead:
"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."
Jesus is honest: “You will have tribulation” (thlipsis, θλῖψις), meaning pressure, affliction, or distress. It’s not “if” but “when.” Yet, He follows with “take heart”, again, tharseo (θαρσέω), calling for confidence and cheer. Why? “I have overcome the world.” The verb “overcome” is nenikeka (νενίκηκα), from nikao (νικάω), meaning to conquer or prevail. Jesus has already won the victory over sin, death, and the world’s chaos.
This promise was vital for the disciples, who would soon face persecution. It’s just as vital for us. If we look only at this world, its pain, its uncertainties, we will lose heart. But Jesus is greater. He’s the Mighty Conqueror who has overcome for us, His redeemed ones. A health challenge might feel insurmountable, but it’s not bigger than Jesus. A frazzled day with kids might push you to the brink, but He’s already victorious.
When I pushed off that cliff, I didn’t conquer gravity, my rope and the tree held me. Likewise, we don’t overcome the world in our strength; Jesus has done it for us. In Him, we have peace. In Him, we have hope. So, take heart, Jesus has overcome, and in Him, we stand victorious.
Because Nothing Can Separate Us from God’s Love
When life unravels, we might wonder if God still loves us. Paul addresses this in Romans 8:35, 38-39:
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? … For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Paul lists every conceivable threat, tribulation (thlipsis, θλῖψις), distress (stenochoria, στενοχωρία), persecution, famine, and more. Then he expands the scope: death, life, spiritual beings, time, space, “anything else in all creation.” Nothing can sever us from God’s love (agape, ἀγάπη), His unconditional, sacrificial devotion.
The verb “separate” (chorizo, χωρίζω) means to divide or tear apart. Paul’s point is unassailable: nothing can tear us from Christ’s grip. This love isn’t contingent on our circumstances or performance; it’s rooted in God’s character and Christ’s finished work.
For early Christians facing persecution, this was a lifeline. For us, it’s assurance amid layoffs, illness, or even mental strain. If Jesus loves us, and He does. He will protect, provide, guide, and help us. Losing a job doesn’t mean losing His love. A health crisis doesn’t mean He’s let go. Even when our minds falter, He holds us fast. Take courage. nothing in all creation can separate you from His love.
Because God Himself Will Strengthen Us
Finally, we often feel too weak to face life’s demands. But God promises His strength. In Isaiah 12:2, the prophet declares:
"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation."
“Strength” here is oz (עֹז), meaning might or a fortress. God is Isaiah’s unshakeable refuge, enabling trust over fear. Similarly, in Isaiah 41:10, God comforts His people:
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
“Strengthen” is amats (אָמַץ) again, to fortify or make courageous. God doesn’t just cheer from the sidelines; He pours His power into us.
We don’t have to summon strength from within. If you feel you can’t make it through, you’re right, you can’t, not alone. We don’t have the power to part the Red Sea or stay calm amid meltdowns, but God does. He strengthened Moses, sustained Paul, and He’ll strengthen you. Whether it’s a cliff-sized crisis or a frazzling day, take courage, God Himself will uphold you.
Tied to an Almighty Tree
Looking down from life’s cliffs, the fall seems long. But like my rappelling adventure, we’re tied to an almighty, immovable Tree, God Himself. We can take courage because He’s with us, He has a plan, Jesus has overcome, His love is unbreakable, and His strength sustains us.
Don’t worry about tomorrow’s courage. God will give you all you need for today, with bags of grace stored up for the future—a whole warehouse of grace awaits. So, push off into the unknown, trusting the One who holds the rope. Take courage, He’s got you.
No comments:
Post a Comment