The Courage to Have Faith
By Pastor Colin
Let’s be honest. Our lives are not easy and sometimes it’s really difficult to trust in the Lord – to truly walk in faith as we struggle through life’s challenges. So can God still work through us when our own lack of courage makes living by faith so hard? Yes, he can! And the Bible provides us countless examples. After the death of Moses, watch how the Lord prepared Joshua for the task before him.
“I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses… No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous… Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:3, 5-7a, 9)
It takes courage to trust in the Lord. But we don’t need to rely on our own willpower to muster up that courage. Even a “spiritual giant” like Joshua needed encouragement from God. And God certainly provided it, reminding Joshua of his faithfulness in keeping all of his promises. And what an amazing promise this is for us as well! “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Joshua 1:5b). Do you understand that God – the creator of the heavens and the earth – will never leave you, nor forsake you? The Lord wouldn’t repeat it if he didn’t really mean it, but look what he says next: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Are you walking out your faith with the truth of that promise in mind? Do you truly believe that you can courageously fulfill God’s calling on your life, knowing that God will be with you wherever you go? Or, if we’re really honest with ourselves, would we have to admit that our lives actually demonstrate a lack of trust in God’s faithfulness? As followers of Christ, we have been entrusted with the amazing honor of working alongside the God of the universe to expand his rule and reign in our world. What are you now facing that will require courage to have faith in the Lord and his presence in your life? Remember that just as Joshua didn’t have to face his enemies alone, you are never alone either. The same source of courage that empowered Joshua and the other leaders in the Bible is available to you – right here, right now. All you have to do is cast aside your pride and ask for God’s help.
Colin Tuggle is the Executive Pastor at the Vineyard, handling the administrative, financial, and facility issues of the church. He and his family joined our fellowship last year. Colin and his wife, Lisa, will soon be starting a Home Group designed for parents and their young children, which will meet on Sunday afternoons.
