Psalm 129

Several years ago, the Christian band Casting Crowns put out a song titled Courageous. I’ll never forget the first time I heard it; I was immediately hooked. It’s been a favorite of mine ever since, so when I read today’s psalm, I thought of it: “‘They have greatly oppressed me from my youth,’ let Israel say; ‘they have greatly oppressed me from my youth, but they have not gained the victory over me. Plowmen have plowed my back and made their furrows long. But the LORD is righteous; he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.” (vs 1-4)

This is what God does—He makes us courageous. Knowing Him and living for Him doesn’t mean the absence of problems in our lives. Rather, it means the ability to stand through all the problems we face, resting in the confidence we have in God. It means remembering that evil doesn’t have the last word over us. It means knowing that even when enemies painfully “plow up our back,” it is God who plants the seeds of blessing in those long furrows. Yes, it is being sure that the God who “knows what He’s doing” makes goodness grow in the place evil was intended.

Today, whatever you face, let God make you courageous. No matter what comes, remember that you are a child of the Most High God, and there is nothing that can separate you from Him!

To help you remember, here are a few good “courage-building” texts for your day:

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. (2 Tim 1:7)
The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? (Ps 118:6)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (Eph 6:10-13)
Do not be terrified by them, for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God. (Deut 7:21)
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Cor 15:58)
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. (Jos 1:9)