His heart was courageous in the ways of the LORD. And furthermore, he took the high places and the Asherim out of Judah. 2 Chronicles 17:6 (ESV)
Courage is the strength of spirit that enables a person to face fear and difficulty. We are called to have this virtue in our character as Christians in the way we serve God just like Jehoshaphat. We must be bold and stand for the Lord.
Paul encourages us to be bold because of the hope we have through Christ in 2 Corinthians 3:12 “Since we have such a hope, we are very bold”
Jesus gives us boldness, we can be courageous because he gives us assurance in Ephesians 3:12 “in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.”
We should pray for one another that we would have courageous faith. Paul asked for this prayer for himself in Ephesians 6:19–20 “and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”
The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. Titus 3:8 (ESV)
As Christians we should be devoted to good works in both our own behaviour and doing good for others. We were not saved by works but we do work because we are saved.
The word devote here has the sense of “to be preeminent”. We should lead the way in good works as an example to others and it should be one of the highest priorities of our lives.
Exalt the LORD our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is he! Psalm 99:5 (ESV)
Here and in verse 9 we read that the Lord is holy. This is one of Gods great, unique attributes and speaks of Gods essential being, God literally is Holy.
The hebrew word “qados” is translated as “holy,” It describes that which is by nature sacred or that which has been admitted to the sphere of the sacred by divine rite. It describes, therefore, that which is distinct or separate from the common or profane.
With this definition in mind we realise that we are made holy by God and called to live in honour of that by remaining separate from sin.
Hebrews 12:14 reminds us to “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”
Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Psalm 100:3 (ESV)
In the middle of our secular society we should affirm again that yes, the Lord is God.
While the lie of evolution has become the conventional wisdom on how we got here, we must stand by the truth that God created us, we belong to him, he is the king and deserves our allegiance.
For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 100:5 (ESV)
Another great attribute of God is that he is good. God is not evil and can not be tempted with evil he is good, he always has been and always will be
We see the reflection of Gods goodness all around us in creation, in the coming of Jesus and in the truth of his word.
Romans 2:4 remind us “Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?”
Leave a Reply