Bible Verse
Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.
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Have you ever noticed how we sometimes put courageous people on pedestals, as if they never feel afraid? We look at their bold actions and assume they must have some special ability to silence their fears completely. But what if true courage isn't about being fearless at all? What if it's about having your fears accompanied by the right Presence? Deuteronomy 31:6 reminds us, "Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." Today, we're exploring how courage might be less about eliminating fear and more about who walks beside us through it.
Short Devotional
Fear whispers in our ears every day. It tells us to stay safe, to avoid risks, to protect ourselves from potential pain. And sometimes, we mistake these whispers for wisdom. But God doesn't ask us to pretend we're not afraid. Instead, He offers something far better – His presence. When Moses spoke these words to Joshua, who was about to lead an entire nation into unknown territory, he didn't say, "Don't worry, you'll never feel scared." He reminded Joshua that God Himself would be walking alongside him through every uncertain step.
This changes everything about how we face our fears. The question shifts from "How do I become fearless?" to "Who is with me as I feel afraid?" When we recognize that courage isn't the absence of fear but the presence of God in the midst of it, even our shakiest moments can become holy ground. Our nervous hands can still accomplish mighty things because they're held by hands that created the universe.
Let's Pray
Lord, I come to You today with my fears visible and my courage shaking. I don't need to hide these feelings from You because You already see them all.
Sometimes, I've believed the lie that being brave means never feeling afraid. I've beaten myself up for the stirring in my heart, thinking it means I don't trust You enough. Thank You for showing me a different way. Thank You that courage isn't about what I feel or don't feel – it's about who goes with me.
God, when I face situations that make my heart race and my thoughts scatter, help me remember Your promise in Deuteronomy. You are the One who goes with me. Not just nearby, not just watching from a distance, but right beside me in every moment.
When I need to speak truth but worry about the consequences, be my voice. When I need to take a step toward healing but fear the pain it might bring, be my strength. When I need to love someone difficult but fear rejection, be my heart.=
I'm grateful that You don't expect me to manufacture courage on my own. You offer Your presence instead – a presence that has parted seas, toppled walls, and overcome death itself. What could my fears possibly do against that?
Lord, teach me to notice You walking beside me when fear tries to convince me I'm alone. Help me find peace not in the absence of scary things but in the certainty of Your companionship through them all.
I pray this with confidence, knowing that Jesus understood human fear completely and still chose love over safety.
In His powerful name, amen.
Journaling Prompts
When was the last time you felt both afraid and courageous at the same time? What made that possible?
How might your approach to a current challenge change if you focused more on God's presence with you than on eliminating your fear?
What fear has been holding you back recently? If you imagined God physically walking beside you into that situation, what might change?
Courage was never meant to be a solo journey. When God calls us to be strong and courageous, He immediately reminds us why we can be – because He goes with us. This week, let's practice noticing the difference between trying to be brave alone and allowing God's presence to join our fears.
Maybe true courage isn't finding some extraordinary fearlessness but simply taking our ordinary, shaking selves one step forward, hand in hand with the God who promises never to leave. Until next time, remember that your fears don't disqualify you from being courageous – they're simply the places where God's presence can shine most brightly.
Until next time,
May the Lord Bless you and keep you;
May He make His face shine upon you;
And be gracious to you and give you peace
God Bless!
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