How Does the Bible Define Courage?

“I, the LORD, am the one who does these things” (Isaiah 45:7).

Courage is born from confidence in our Creator. Courage shows up fifty times in the New Living Translation of the Bible. The dictionary definition of courage is “the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.” We aren’t promised an easy life following Christ Jesus, but we are guaranteed all we need to accomplish what the Lord has set us here to do.

Halley’s Bible Handbook Notes explains “God’s superiority over idols is proven by His ability to foretell the future. Says Isaiah, our God, whom we worship in our Hebrew nation, not only can do what human beings do, He can do some things that they cannot do: He can foretell things to come.” Psalm 27:14 says, 

“Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, with patiently for the LORD.”

Courage can be stillness, seeking the Lord and waiting patiently for His direction and wisdom. Instead of rushing to the aid of others to download a situation in exchange for opinions, we wait on the Lord. Instead of allowing our reactions to go unfiltered, we wait on the Lord’s direction. It sometimes takes more courage to be still and silent. Jesus often retreated to pray to the Lord, and returned strengthened. Isaiah wrote:

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).

God is doing all of the work! He is with us, and He is God! He strengthens us and helps us. He holds us up in His victorious right hand. Christ Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father, victorious over death. He willingly sacrificed His life for us on the cross, rose three days later, and then ascended into heaven to be seated at the right hand of His Father. It’s His sacrifice and His victory we draw strength from! Moses told God’s people, and Joshua, before they entered the promised land:

“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD you God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

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