“God grant me the courage not to give up what I think is right even though I think it is hopeless.” – Chester W. Nimitz
Today, more than ever, the world is experiencing a great need for encouragement in the midst of fear and adversity. Our Father wants us to have courage and confidence in Him. These two qualities are important keys for succeeding in life and divine purpose.
The quote above is by Chester W. Nimitz who was a fleet admiral in the U.S. Navy during WWII. Admiral Nimitz played a major role in the naval history of WWII as Commander in Chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean area, as well as commanding Allied air, land, and sea forces.
You can imagine the adversities and difficulties he faced with a great deal of responsibility on his shoulders. Nevertheless, he had learned the importance of courage to do the right thing and trust God when all seemed hopeless. No doubt, many of the courageous decisions he made had a key role in helping to win the war.
Your heavenly Father wants you to win in life and purpose – to have victory in your battles – to move with courage and push beyond where fear might hold you back. He wants you to move with confidence in His unfailing love and covenant goodness, provision, and power towards you. Your courage and confidence makes a difference in this world. It doesn’t matter how small you think yourself to be, or how big your giants are, the Lord your God is Mighty and will not forsake you.
This was the word given to Joshua by God as he was about to lead a nation into victory against enemies greater than themselves. God repeatedly said, “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them: for the LORD your God is the One who goes with you; He will not fail you or forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6-8 NASB).
Courage is defined as the inward strength to push past fear in a given moment or period of time in order to take a needed action, despite how you feel. Confidence is defined as the inward assurance in one’s abilities or belief in someone or something that will cause favorable outcome. Our confidence is empowered by trusting God’s ability and not leaning on our own strength. We increase in courage by listening to the Lord and following His voice with confidence in Him.
In this Scripture, God commanded Joshua to have courage to push past fear AND have confidence in His presence and power at work to give him and the people success in their Kingdom charge.
I love how the Hebrew language describes the word confidence (Heb. bittahon) as being the covenant place where your thoughts dwell. It speaks of where you live internally regarding an inward agreement or pact. Where your thoughts dwell determines where you place your confidence – your trust, hope, expectation, and boldness.
What have you made a covenant agreement with? God or fear?
Fear puts us in bondage, but with God there is liberty and victory. We chose which place we want to live.
If you are to succeed in life and divine purpose, your thoughts must retain agreement with God’s thoughts and the truth of His help, presence, power, and provision with you at all times – including in times of adversity. You must make no pact or agreement with fear or anything that would cause you to pull back or move in a way contrary to the purposes of God for you.
Prov. 14:26 says, “In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.”
May you make the Lord your place of refuge as you strongly confide in His love and power towards you. Your courage and confidence in God make a difference in fulfilling your Kingdom commission for the world around you.
