7-day plan: Courage
God goes with the one who is afraid; the Bible shows ordinary people who acted with courage.
One passage a day, with a question to think it over. Your progress stays on this device, no account needed.
Day 1 · Do not be afraid
God commands Joshua to be strong and firm: “YHWH your Elohim is with you”
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and firm. Do not be terrified or dismayed, for YHWH your Elohim is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
What does this passage say about what God is like?
Day 2 · God fights for you
Moses to the people, with the Egyptians behind them: “YHWH will fight for you”
Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and see the salvation of YHWH, which he will work for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today you will never see them again. YHWH will fight for you, and you will keep silent.”
Exodus 14:13–14 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
Which word or phrase stays with you, and why?
Day 3 · Brave people in the Bible
The angel calls Gideon “valiant warrior”, though he sees himself as the least in his house
The angel of YHWH appeared to him and said to him, “YHWH is with you, valiant warrior.” Gideon said to him, “Pardon, my lord, if YHWH is with us, why has all this found us? And where are all his wonders that our fathers recounted to us, saying, ‘Did not YHWH bring us up from Egypt?’ But now YHWH has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.” YHWH turned to him and said, “Go in this strength of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian. Have I not sent you?” He said to him, “Pardon, Adonai, with what shall I save Israel? Look, my thousand is the poorest in Manasseh, and I am the least in the house of my father.” YHWH said to him, “Because I will be with you, you will strike Midian as one man.”
Judges 6:12–16 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
What situation in your life does this passage speak to?
Day 4 · Courage to speak
Threatened, the disciples ask to speak with all boldness, and then speak God’s word boldly
And now, Lord, look upon their threats, and grant to your slaves to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may take place through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and all were filled with the Holy Spirit and were speaking the word of God with boldness.
Acts 4:29–31 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
The believers were of one heart, and no one lacked anything (vv. 32-35). Whom around you could you help today in a concrete way?
Day 5 · Do not be afraid
Moses encourages the people: God goes with you and will not forsake you
Be strong and firm; do not fear and do not be terrified before them, for YHWH your Elohim, he is the one who goes with you; he will not let go of you or forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
Who could you share this with this week?
Day 6 · God fights for you
A word to Judah in YHWH’s name: the war is not theirs, but Elohim’s
and he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says YHWH to you: ‘You, do not be afraid and do not be dismayed before this great multitude, for the war is not yours, but Elohim’s. Tomorrow go down against them; look, they are coming up by the ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook, facing the wilderness of Jeruel. It is not for you to fight in this; present yourselves, stand and see the salvation of YHWH with you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed; tomorrow go out before them, and YHWH will be with you.’”
2 Chronicles 20:15–17 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
What would you like to say to God after reading it?
Day 7 · Brave people in the Bible
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego tell the king: our Elah can deliver us; if not, we will not bow
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “We have no need to answer you about this matter. If it is so, our Elah whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of fire blazing, and from your hand, O king, he will deliver us. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that your gods we do not serve, and to the image of gold that you set up we will not bow down.”
Daniel 3:16–18 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
Looking back over the week, what changed in how you see this topic?