Be Courageous

by Barb Fisher

As I was coming out of a state of sleep, I had a dream. A young man was playing a guitar and singing: “Be Courageous, Courageous, Courageous, Courageous, be Bold…be Bold.” It was very timely, and I knew that it was God speaking to me.  Psalms 16:7 (NKJV) I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.

Prior to the dream, I had taken a step of obedience and began to advance to a new level the vision God had given me. I was in uncharted territory. Completely unfamiliar surroundings. The people I was connecting with were not the people I was used to being around. Some were professionals in their field, some identified themselves using pronouns, (For those who have no clue what that means, it is related to gender identity. If you don’t identify as either male or female, you ask to be referred to as “they” or “them”.) while others personified the meaning of “silver tongue” in that they did not fail to be so eloquently articulate. I was beyond intimated. I was holding on by a very thin thread and questioning God as to whether or not I had heard Him correctly.

I knew what it felt to be the Israelites as they were about to cross the Jordan River. The people were commanded to not move until they saw the Ark of the Covenant being carried by the priests. Then once they began to move, they had to keep a distance of about 3,000 feet. Why? So that they could clearly see the Shekinah Glory of God as He was manifested between the Cherubim of the Ark, and would know exactly which way to go. They had not been that way before. They had no idea where they were going or what they were doing. They had to keep their focus on God. (Joshua 3:1-4) That was me! By faith, I plodded on and made plans, believing that I was following the guidance of Holy Spirit as I surrendered to Him, while at the same time shaking in my boots…and then the dream.

God laid out for Joshua the land that He was giving to him and the sons of Israel. He mentioned by name the enemies that they were going to have to conquer, but He also encouraged him that He would be going with him. God would remain right by his side and would never leave him. Then God gave Joshua instructions as to how he was to move forward in His promise. Three times in Joshua 1, the Lord commanded him to be strong and courageous. When God says something three times, we can know that it is very important to Him that we hear.
God often calls us into “uncharted territory.” It is during those times that our faith is tested and proven to be genuine. (James 1) The temptation arises to retreat when the going gets tough. We encounter an ungodly belief that tells us that if it is God, then everything will go smoothly. NOT TRUE! God is raising warriors; sons and daughters who know how to advance His Kingdom here upon the Earth. We are going to face opposition, and when we do, be Courageous and Bold!
The Hebrew word for courageous is amets. It means to be strong; bold; alert; established; determined. The same word is used in Ruth 1:8. Ruth was determined that no matter what Naomi said, she was not turning back. We need to face the unfamiliar places God calls us to with that same determination.

Just like Joshua, He has promised that He will be right by our side. Psalms 16:8 says that He is at our side, therefore we should not be shaken. Keep advancing! Don’t retreat!