Yes, be bold and strong!

Banish fear and doubt!
For remember, the LORD your God is
with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 TLB

I love the phrase “banish fear and doubt.” When I think of the word banish, I think of refugees. I hate to admit that I think of the song by Tom Petty that says, “you don’t have to live like a refugee.” But in this instance, it’s so true.

So often fear is our captor, not our captee. We allow it to control us. We submit willingly to its power over us.

Be not afraid is a widely used phrase in the Bible, some say over 360 times. So often we are dis-couraged. Courage is removed from us. Courage is banished…. and what replaces it? Fear.

What’s more is that the LORD is so faithful! Every time I think I’m going to be a captive of my own fears He speaks to me. This morning I was nearly in tears, totally exhausted. On the train to work I thought, I can’t keep feeling this tired. I can’t keep living like this. I can’t work and serve the Lord. I can’t. I can’t. I can’t. But God.

Just as I was arranging for my pity party, I arrive at work with Joshua 1:9 at my desk to remind me that I can be strong in Him. I can have courage that I can do all things through HIM (Philippians 4:13). He is my strength. The Joy of HIM in me is my strength (Nehemiah 8:10).

Faith is the substance of things hoped for (Hebrews 11:1) and we should have the HOPE of Christ in us. If He has called us He will give us the tools, the talent, the resources, the strength, the finances, the hope, the joy, the peace, the love, the forgiveness, the peace…

Fear should be a refugee not at refuge within us.

Amen?

I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me

[I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him

Who infuses inner strength into me;

I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].

Philippians 4:13 AMP

Footnote:

Here is a song clip from “Be Strong and Brave,” a song I wrote based on Joshua 1:9 featured on my CD “Come Away.”

Here is a link to the chord chart.