Be courageous

Hebrews 10:35-39 Be courageous
God wanted to lead the Israelites into the land of Canaan flowing with milk and honey. But Pharoah king of Egypt did not let them go. Therefore God punished the Egyptians with many plagues. But Pharoah hardened his heart. So God killed all the firstborn sons in Egypt. Then Pharoah came to his senses and let the Israelites go. Nowadays we often see the persons like Pharoah. They come to their senses when they are severely punished by God. It is really regrettable.
When Pharoah let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, "If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt." So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. (Exodus 13:17-18)
It means the Israelites were not so courageous to receive the blessing of the land of Canaan within a week. Though they were very brave to complain against Moses, they were not courageous to fight against enemies. When the Egyptian army pursued the Israelites, they did not try to fight against the Egyptian army but complained against Moses.
"Moses, was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die ? Didn't we say to you in Egypt, 'Leave us alone ; let us serve the Egyptians'? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians that to die in the desert !" (Exodus 14:11-12)
Brothers and sisters, when God promised to give the land of Canaan to the Israelites, it means that God would help them in any difficulties and fight against their enemies. Therefore if the Israelites trust in God, they could win the war. But if they become coward, they would lose war and all the blessings of God that God had promised.
God knew that the Israelites were not strong to overcome the well-trained and well armed Egyptian army. So God had the plan that he would kill them into the Red Sea. Therefore if the Israelites trust in God, they could sea the miracle that God would divide the Red Sea and they could see all the Egyptian army die in the Red Sea. That is, the Israelites were weak but their God is strong.
In 1 Chronicles, Sennacherib king of Assyria invaded Judah and blasphemed God and terrified the people of Judah. Then Hezekiah king of Judah encouraged his people with these words, "Be strong and courageous. Do not afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battle." (2 Chronicles 32:7-8)
As Hezekiah had said, God sent an angel, who annihilated all the fighting men and the leaders and officers in the camp of the Assyrian king. When the people of Judah got up the next morning, there were 185000 dead bodies. So Sennacherib withdrew to his own land in disgrace. And some of his sons killed him with the sword.
Brothers and sisters, we do not want war but peace. But sometimes we are invaded by enemies. Sometimes we face big troubles that we cannot solve by ourselves. At this time what attitude should we have ? Do you want to be coward or courageous ? Do you want to trust God or to lose your heart ?
Don't forget. Why we believe in God ? Isn't it because we face a lot of problems in our life that we cannot solve by ourselves ? And isn't it because if we believe in God, he helps us, so that we can get a unexpected victory ?
Brothers and sisters, we are weak, but our God is strong. Therefore when you face war or when you are in difficulties, do not look up to your weakness but look up to the strong God who helps you to the end and fight for you to the end. The ultimate victory is ours.
In 2 Kings chapter 6, the king of Aram tried to attack Israel. But the attack failed every time because the prophet Elisha defended Israel very well. Then the king of Aram sent his army to capture Elisha. His army went by night and surrounded the city Dothan. When the servant of Elisha got up and went out early the next morning, and when he saw an army with horses and chariots surrounding the city, he said to Elisha, "Oh my lord, what shall we do ?"
Then Elisha answered, "Don't be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." (2 Kings 6:16) And Elisha prayed, "Lord, open his eyes so he may see." Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. That is, the human army could not kill Elisha because the strongest army of God guarded him. After all the army of Aram was captured by the army of God.
Brothers and sisters, I ask you to look up to God and trust God to the end. Bible says, "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." (1 John 4:4)
"If God is for us, who can be against us ? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen ? Who is he that condemns ? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ ? Christ Jesus, who died- more than that, who was raised to life- is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." (Rom 8:31, 33-35, 37) Would you repeat after me, "We are more than conquerors !"
Brothers and sisters, the weak Israelites could get a complete victory against the strong Egyptian army because God was on their side. And the people of Judah could get a complete victory against the Assyrian vast army because God was on their side. The Assyrian army ran away in disgrace because God's angel defeated them. And the army of Aram was captured even though they tried to capture Elisha.
Brothers and sisters, sometimes we are at a disadvantage. But don't be afraid. Be courageous. And keep your eyes on God who fights for you. Our God is not a dead god but living God who guards us and fights for us. But if we are afraid and run away, God does not fight for the coward people. Therefore be courageous and shout like these.
"I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side." (Psalms 3:6) "Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear ; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident." (Psalms 27:3) "The Lord is with me, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me ?" (Psalms 118:6) "Surely God is my strength and my song ; he has become my salvation." (Isaiah 12:2)
From old times God exalted the courageous men like David. David shouted to Goliath who was well-trained and well-armed for fight. "You come against with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty." (1 Sam 17:45)
Brothers and sisters, today's scripture says very precious words to us. "So do not throw away your confidence ; it will be richly rewarded. If he shrink back, I will not be pleased with him. But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved." (Heb 10:35, 38-39)
Brothers and sisters, courage is absolutely needed for rich blessing, for rich reward and for brilliant achievement. A great victory is given to the courageous, not to the coward. God gives glory to the courageous persons. And you and I are the courageous persons. Amen !