COURAGE

"BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS . . . FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD IS THE ONE WHO GOES WITH YOU." (DEUTERONOMY 31:6)

In San Diego's famous Sea World, you can actually see ducks on roller-skates. Honestly! But when you get close to them you'll notice - they don't have their hearts in it. You may smile, but a lot of us are like that!

If you want your life to count, find a cause greater than yourself and put everything you've got into it (see Jn 12:24). Remember Nehemiah? He risked his all to rebuild Jerusalem. In spite of constant threats, he finished the job in record time. Why? Because "...the people had a heart and mind [the courage] to work" (Neh 4:6 AMP).

In an early copy (1828) of Webster's Dictionary, the word courage is defined as, "That quality which enables us to face difficulty and danger . . . without fear or depression."

Then Webster, a committed Christian, adds the words of Moses as he hands over the leadership to Joshua. Listen; "Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid . . . for the LORD your God is the One Who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you."(Deut 31:6 NAS)

Even at 120, Moses was still telling the people, "Ya gotta have heart!" Why? Because anything worth having is worth fighting for!

It takes 'heart' to deal with a child's wilful defiance . . . or face your own fears . . . or pick up the pieces and start over again. It's easy to talk about what's wrong, but it takes 'heart' to do something about it. And where does that kind of courage come from? From God!

Have you talked to Him today?