The Definition of Courage

What is the quality that can turn a slave into a king?  According to the Cowardly Lion in the movie The Wizard of Oz, it is courage. I propose bumping it up to the next level; we need courage based on our confidence in God or “Godfidence.” That is the definition of courage.

Common Theme

In the bible, courage or Godfidence is a common theme. Likely, King David, who fought Goliath, is the first to come to mind. Or, perhaps, Moses who faced off against Pharaoh and led the people through many challenges to the edge of the promised land. Joshua, sometimes over looked, provides another example of courage. Moses proclaimed the commandments of God to the Israelites, but Joshua fought the battles.  When the 12 scouts came back from exploring Canaan, Joshua said to the people, “We’ve got this.”

Joshua never deviated from his loyalty to God. So, it was no surprise that God chose Joshua, after the death of Moses, to lead his people into the land he had promised. Joshua had Godfidence!

Think of how Joshua must have felt, knowing the fate of the people was now in his hands. How could he inspire faithfulness in the Israelites when Moses himself had failed? Looking over into the promised land with unknown, but certain perils and enemies, how could he not have been filled with fear? It is no wonder that God, in the opening message to the Book of Joshua, repeatedly admonished Joshua to have courage.  But the message didn’t stop there; he said “Be careful to obey all the laws my servant Moses gave you” (Joshua 1:7, NIV). God was saying, “Put your faith in me and my laws.” These two directives go hand-in-hand. Have courage and be faithful. In other words, “Have Godfidence.”

Change Is Certain

As we face the future, we need to hold on to things that don’t change. We need a foundation on which we can build. Despite the dangers and challenges we face, the promises of God are a sure foundation. Fear is a natural reaction when faced with uncertainty. It seems that today’s world forces us to cope with greater uncertainty than ever. According to CNN: Business, “The new normal is for Millennials to jump jobs four times in their first decade out of college.” ^[i]  That’s nearly twice the number of job changes as the previous generation.  

I guess I’m ahead of my time. I’ve experienced many job changes. . . assembly-line worker, auto mechanic, teacher, instructional developer, curriculum coordinator, video producer, magazine publisher, account manager, dean, pastor. . . who knows what’s next. Each of these changes required courage. Change forces us to take on new responsibilities, make new friends, and try new things, at some of which we will not be successful. Facing change is easier if you have Godfidence.

Courage Definition

Maybe like the cowardly Lion, you are looking for the nerve to face the future like “a lion, not a mouse.”  Take courage, have Godfidence! God’s message to us is the same as the one he gave Joshua: “I am with you and the promises I have made shall certainly be fulfilled. . . be sure to follow my commandments, without swerving to the right or the left.” With the certainty of God’s promises, we can face the future with courage. If we keep our focus, not swerving to the right or left, it doesn’t matter what changes the future may bring. That is the definition of courage.

“The Lord is with us: fear them not” (Numbers 14:9, KJV).

Copyright © 2020 Chuck Locklear

Also, see Unconditional Love.

---

^[i] Long, Heather, “The New Normal: 4 Job Changes By the Time You’re 32.” CNN: Business. April 12, 2016