Be of Good Courage

I looked for these lyrics when this song came in my heart. I remember in high school how we used to sing along this song from the famous 'hymn book'. I actually knew the lyrics well. Back then it was protocol to sing along. It had to be done every morning when we habitually assembled.


It wasn't until now that the lyrics pierced through my heart, with their meaning and context ringing loud in my head.


We need courage in this life. There are enough things around us to make us coil back in fear. But God says, 'BE COURAGEOUS' 'BE OF GOOD COURAGE'. {Joshua1:6-9 }. Its interesting that the Lord put it forth as a command. It wasn't a request. He specifically said "Good Courage". Suffice it to say, there is bad courage. The kind that leads us into doing stupid things where consequences follow us. The Lord is not talking about showing how strong you are, in might or deed. I tend to think that He was talking about not being intimidated by anything, knowing well that He {The Lord}, is always on our side. There fore our courage solely rests upon the assurance that the Lord is on our side. And its a command.



Its actually a sin to be cowardly.


 {Rev 21:8 But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”}


How can sexual immorality and cowardice be mentioned in the same breath? Did you know that the devil is a coward? Cowardly people are not obedient to God. They choose the easy way out. It takes courage to obey God. You have to go out of your way and choose obedience, even when there are much simpler options, if we look at it from a worldly perspective. Its easier to give a bribe, for example, than to face the law. Its also cowardly. And cowardice and sexual immorality, to God, are one and the same: Both are sin.


Is there trouble in your life: Be of good courage, for the Lord is on your side. 


Do not be scared of lack.
Do not be scared of disease.
Do not be scared of war.
Do not be scared of death.
Do not be scared of men. 


Be of "Good Courage".


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Courage, brother, do not stumble,
Though thy path be dark as night;
There's a star to guide the humble:
Trust in God and do the right.
Let the road be rough and dreary,
And its end far out of sight,
Foot it bravely; strong or weary,

Trust in God and do the right.

Perish policy and cunning,
Perish all that fears the light!
Whether losing, whether winning,
Trust in God and do the right,
Trust no party, sect or faction;
Trust no leaders in the fight;
Put in every word or action,


Trust in God and do the right.

Some will hate thee, some will love thee,
Some will flatter, some will slight;
Cease from man, and look above thee:
Trust in God and do the right.
Simple rule, and safest guiding,
Inward peace and inward might,
Star upon our path abiding,

Trust in God and do the right.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~