Where does your courage come from?

Have you ever faced a time when you felt like you didn't have it in you?  That you weren't brave enough to cope with the day ahead?  That you were just plain scared about what lay in front of you?

When the Israelites made it to the promised land they went to check it out, and came back terrified.  They reported men of great height and some of the spies convinced the people that they just couldn't beat them (Numbers 13).  Had they forgotten all that God had just done for them?  The whole Exodus /beating Pharaoh/providing food in the desert bit?  Um - apparently, well, yes they had.

Today at church we started Deuteronomy, the first chapter reminding the Israelites of why they've just spent 40 years traipsing around in circles.  They just didn't trust God.  They forgot so very quickly what he had done for them.  How powerful he is.  Instead of looking up at God, they looked down and around at themselves.  Their weak puny selves.  And unsurprisingly, got scared of facing the big men.

Where do you look when you need courage?  When you feel scared for yourself?  Or worried for your child?  Or frightened for your friend?

I'd recommend looking up to the God who made us, who holds us in His hands, and knows exactly how tomorrow will play out.  Who has promised to never leave us.  Who has promised to look after us.  Who is good.  In control of it all.

Look up.  We're never alone.

Psalm 139: 8-10

If I go up to the heavens, you are there;

if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

if I settle on the far side of the sea,

even there your hand will guide me,

your right hand will hold me fast.