Comfort and Peace .
Joshua 1:8-10

8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 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."

Psalm 31:24

24 Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD.

John 16:33

33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

I’m not really sure why I am focused on courage today. In fact, this is the topic I was thinking about yesterday and really didn’t have the time to gather my thoughts. When I looked up courage at dictionary.com I found this: Courage permits one to face extreme dangers and difficulties without fear; n. The state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear, or vicissitudes with self-possession, confidence, and resolution; bravery.

No, I’m not feeling as if I’m in danger. I’m not even particularly afraid of anything that I can think of—at least nothing new! So I asked myself Why do I need courage? What is the message here? Well, I’m not sure of the personal application at this point, but I have learned that when God gives us a message, a word, a thought, we are to follow through until we understand what He wants us to know.

The verse from John is one of my “hallmark” verses. If you notice, it’s on the banner of this site. I take a deep breath and relax a little every time I read it. Somehow Jesus telling us to take heart is very comforting. The meaning is very close to being of good courage, and don’t be discouraged. As I reflect on these passages I realize sometimes there is no particular situation or circumstance that causes us to become discouraged or to lose heart. Sometimes life just bogs us down.

It’s so easy to get to the point where we feel as if we’re spinning our wheels, isn’t it? Add on the extra tasks and duties of the holiday season, and one can get pretty overwhelmed. God wants us to know that we are not alone in our journey, in our struggles. He is there with us every inch of the way. The way we can be assured of that is to meditate upon the Book of the Law day and night.

Jesus has overcome the world. Because of him, we can face anything. But we don’t face it alone.

My prayer today is that you take heart and be of good courage. And that you remember the one who is the source of all comfort and peace.
Mary

Labels: comfort, courage, discouragement, hope

  ¶ 6:20 AM