God gives strength to his people. He enables them to be courageous through his gift of faith. God proves himself faithful to his promises and enables his people to trust him in everyday life.
Courage through faithful obedience
1 Chronicles 22:11–13 See also 1 Chronicles 28:20; Genesis 12:1–4; Hebrews 11:8; Genesis 22:1–5; Hebrews 11:17–19; 2 Chronicles 15:8, 2 Chronicles 19:8–11; Ezra 7:27–28, Ezra 10:1–4; Matthew 26:39 parallels Mark 14:35–36, Luke 22:41–42
Now, my son, may the LORD be with you, and may you succeed in building the house of the LORD your God, as He said you would. Above all, may the LORD give you insight and understanding when He puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the Law of the LORD your God. Then you will succeed, if you carefully follow the statutes and ordinances that the LORD commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.
Courage in the face of wrongdoing
2 Samuel 12:7–9 The prophet accuses the king of adultery and murder. See also 2 Chronicles 26:16–18 Azariah and Uzziah; Mark 6:18 John the Baptist and Herod; Hebrews 11:7, Hebrews 11:24–27
Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. I gave your master’s house to you and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you the house of Israel and Judah, and if that was not enough, I would have given you even more. Why then have you despised the command of the LORD by doing evil in His sight? You put Uriah the Hittite to the sword and took his wife as your own. You have slain him with the sword of the Ammonites.
Courage under pressure
Psalm 46:1–3 See also Psalm 10:17, Psalm 27:3; Isaiah 12:2 Isaiah's encouragement of the exiles of Israel; Acts 27:22; 1 Corinthians 16:13; 2 Corinthians 6:4–10; Hebrews 3:6, Hebrews 11:32–39; Matthew 14:27 parallels Mark 6:50, John 6:20
For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth is transformed and the mountains are toppled into the depths of the seas, though their waters roar and foam and the mountains quake in the surge. Selah
Courageous witness
Acts 4:18–20 See also Matthew 10:19–26 parallels Mark 13:9–11, Luke 21:12–15; Acts 23:11; Philippians 1:14, Philippians 1:20
Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than God. For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
Courage in prayer
Hebrews 4:14–16 See also Genesis 18:27–28; 1 Chronicles 17:25 parallel 2 Samuel 7:27
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.