As a child, you may remember the story of the “Wizard of Oz” and how, along with Dorothy, the lion, tin man, and scare crow all traveled together to the Emerald City to see the Wizard so that they could ask for something they were missing in their lives. Dorothy wanted to go home, the lion wanted courage, the tin man wanted a heart, and the scare crow wanted a brain.

Today we are going to talk about the lion’s request: courage. Merriam Webster Dictionary states that “courage is mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.”

God’s Word is filled with scriptures speaking about courage and strength. Here are three for you to think about when you need courage from the Lord if and when you are going through a difficult time in your life:

Deuteronomy 31:6 – “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.”

I Chronicles 28:20 – “David 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.'”

Psalm 31:24 – “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”

I believe Billy Graham summed up the word courage when he said:

“Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened.” – Quote from “Thank Heaven for Coffee (and other little pleasures) by Barbour Publishing, Inc.”

May we, like the lion, be of good courage and take heart because our God is always with us.

Blessings,
Yvonne