The word courageous simply means “to be brave; fearless; bold.”
In his charge to Timothy, the Apostle Paul wrote, “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord” (2 Timothy 1:7-8). Note: “a spirit of power” and “do not be ashamed.”
Paul’s charge to Timothy is applicable to Christians today. We have the reliable God-given power, and absolutely nothing to be ashamed or afraid of.
One of the loveliest verses in Isaiah is where the prophet records what God is saying to believers: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10).
This means we are assured of God’s presence, His relationship, His help, and his sustaining power. Therefore, we must trust God rather than fear circumstances.
Many times it is not so much what we are doing, but rather what we are not doing that really matters. Consider those who have risked their lives for the sake of the gospel of God’s grace; especially in countries that are hostile to the God of the Holy Scriptures.
In some places Christians are relentlessly persecuted for their faith. Some have gone “underground” for fear of not being allowed to practice their faith in the open. Yet, these Christians defy the odds and continue to worship the God of heaven. Great will be their reward.
In the Christian life and service, we should be wholly dedicated for the purposes and glory of God. Paul wrote, “I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:1-2).
Courage also means defying the odds; pressing toward the goal and taking a stand for “those things which are most surely believed among us” (Luke 1:1).
A noteworthy example of great courage is recorded in the Bible. And it is about the prophet Daniel in the palace of king Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. The Bible says: “Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s food. Nor with the wine which he drank” (Daniel 1:8).
Daniel courageously refused to eat the king’s food. This was his resolve, and notice where it all began; he “purposed in his heart.” This is true courage. The “heart” here refers to our “innermost being” — the seat of our beliefs and understanding. In other words, the “real you and me.” The Bible says: “For as [a man] thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7).
Some of us seem to “purpose in our heads” where pending action remains at a standstill, and somehow never take the long circuitous journey to our hearts. The Bible says, “for the LORD sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
Further reading of Daniel’s prophecy indicates that his courage paid off in the end because he did not compromise his conscience. The same will be true of us today if Daniel’s courage is our inspiration and motivation!
The Christians’s joy is not found in external circumstances, but rather in the Lord. Nehemiah 8:10 says: “Joy of the LORD is our strength.”