By Zethu Zwane
This season has been a season of great trials. There’s been a lot of opposition, and in it all God’s first word spoken to me carried me through several growth opportunities. I’ve learned people can be unkind, I’ve seen injustice. However, I’ve seen why God’s love and forgiveness covers a multitude of sins. No matter the circumstances, God remained faithful when He said be Strong & Courageous. Whatever you face, believe that when God said be Strong and courageous it comes with victory, power, protection and love. And can I just say I love the victory part of this command.
I Love You Lord
Have you ever heard Cece Winans song, I love you Lord? It’s so precious to me because I struggled with the idea of love. God, being faithful and patient, has taught me love and how to trust in Him. Imagine it started with a weird thought in my head; “Be strong and Courageous,” a few years ago.
I wasn’t even reading the Bible, yet God kept pursuing me. I was following false teachings like affirmations and fortune tellers, yet He remained focused on His will for my life. Here’s what’s important; I don’t speak like Shakespeare, so the phrase “Be Strong and Courageous,” was an odd phrase to think.
Why I struggled Hearing God’s voice
There’s certain messages like memorable messages that reply in your mind. For example you’ll think about the phrases you hear from friends, family or social media. Or you’ll think about new and intriguing words or ideas.
For one, I love these new phrase I heard Swazis use; “Nton-Nton,” or “Mzuzu,” which is literally hilarious. I’m still trying to figure how to use it in context. Yet there’s no one in my friend group or world who says be strong and courageous.
Mind you if someone did say it, I’d immediately assume you’re up to something bad. After months of hearing the phrase, I finally Googled it and was excited. I was excited because I was desperate for God to lead my life. I was exhausted of hitting the same wall. I was tired of having bad friends, no boundaries, people pleasing, toxic dates, planning bad projects and getting robbed.
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Realizing God calls you before you choose Him
That’s why I took the leap of faith in believing that Christianity is not just a Sunday gathering. And it’s been the best decision of my life! Following 5 years of growth opportunities, God completed the phase by saying; “For I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
I almost popped out the roof with excitement because it’s been a seasons of perseverance and victory. It’s also been a season of learning and understanding God’s voice. He really does know you before you’re formed in the womb. I understood that God doesn’t call the qualified, He equips you where you are.
More important is when God speaks it comes with great urgency, so have faith. If you need strengthening, join a Godly community that will boost your spiritual maturity, confidence and trust in God. The right Godly community will show how to love God.
Finally I learned how my heart lies, and seeing this motivated me to want to learn more about God as opposed to leaning into my own ideas. Yes I’ve failed too many times, but my failures are a reminder that the only perfection in your life is God. Best decision you’ll ever gain in your experiences is learning how to Maginify God’s power no matter the circumstances, and to rest in His Holy name.
God’s nature is to protect and provide
Although you’ll face difficulty in life, God gives you His word of protection, guidance and love. He holds dominion over heaven and earth and over every principalities in the heavens and earth, which should boost your confidence. Your confidence increases the more you deepen your relationship with God.
You’ll experience testimonies of holy protection and provision; best part you’ll know it’s not by chance! So in celebration of the first message that’s lead to transformation changes, here’s a list of the times God has commanded you to be strong and courageous.
Bible Verses on Be Strong and Courageous
Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.
Psalms 31:24 NIV
Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Deuteronomy 31:7-8 NIV
Then they answered Joshua, “Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses. Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey it, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!”
Joshua 1:16-18 NIV
David also 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.
1 Chronicles 28:20 NIV
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Psalms 27:14 NIV
Be strong, and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The Lord will do what is good in his sight.”
2 Samuel 10:12 NIV
- Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV - Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.
Joshua 1:6 NIV - Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 NIV - 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.”
Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV - Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. This is what the Lord will do to all the enemies you are going to fight.”
Joshua 10:25 NIV - Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the Lord gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.
1 Chronicles 22:13 NIV - Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. This is what the Lord will do to all the enemies you are going to fight.”
Joshua 10:25 NIV - “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him.
2 Chronicles 32:7 NIV
“Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed,” he said. “Peace! Be strong now; be strong.” When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my Lord, since you have given me strength.”
Daniel 10:19 NIV
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