Take courage...

Take courage...

The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”

Acts 23:11 ESV

On the following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Be brave; for as you have solemnly and faithfully witnessed about Me at Jerusalem, so you must also testify at Rome.”

Acts 23:11 AMP

We read this for church this last week and again in our growth groups this week...this passage has always been there, but it’s neon lights made it stand out this time a little further upon this reading...

Take courage....we may not be heading for one of the leaders of the world to tell of the good news of the gospel...but we each may have times   when we “take courage”.

As the world and local leaders must make decisions for the safety of opening up jobs, schools, activities ...life, again...they must seek courage to do so...facing down the unseen virus which has almost frozen our lives in place for these last weeks...

There have been those on the front lines...doctors, nurses, medical personnel at all levels, care givers of all ages, truck drivers, delivery people, store workers, business men and women, clerks, the unseen ones who have served over and over again, those who lost their jobs,  worked extra hours, sacrificed in ways we don’t even know...thank you for being courageous...

But, besides being told “ take courage”, the phrase, “stood near or beside” stands out as well...

Jesus wasn’t  in some far off place...He was near...beside..that is the comforting part...when he tells, talks to us...he is near, within, around us speaking to our hearts..he doesn’t forsake us...in him is where the courage lies...

As we stand beside a sick or dying one, courageously battling cancer, depression, dementia...whatever...Jesus is there, near..

As we stand serving in whatever arena we are placed...Jesus is there, near...

As we live in isolation, crowds, wherever...Jesus is there, near, beside..

As Paul went to Rome, Jesus was there, near...

Take courage...Jesus is beside us, near us, in us...he faces with us whatever comes...thank YOU...

 Moses stood and told the Israelites and Joshua...

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6

The Lord told Joshua...

The Lord gave this command to Joshua son of Nun: “Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I promised them on oath, and I myself will be with you.”

Deuteronomy 31:23

“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:7,9 

David to his son, Solomon...

David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.

1 Chronicles 28:20 

Hezekiah told his people...

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him.

2 Chronicles 32:7

Ezra...

and who has extended his good favor to me before the king and his advisers and all the king’s powerful officials. Because the hand of the Lord my God was on me, I took courage and gathered leaders from Israel to go up with me.

Ezra 7:28 

Jesus...

But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

Matthew 14:27 

Paul...

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.

1 Corinthians 16:13 

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

Philippians 1:20