Take Courage Text: 2 Chronicles 19:11b...
Take courage as you fulfill your duties, and may the Lord be with those who do what is right.”
Jehoshaphat faces possible death that was diverted by God, he’s rebuked because of his alliances. Vs.2 of II Chronicles 19 say’s, And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Therefore the wrath of the LORD is upon you.
This same prophet had earlier given Jehoshaphat’s father, Asa, a similar warning. However, God shows Jehoshaphat mercy because the King had a great concern over Jerusalem’s true worship of the Lord God.
So then, Jehoshaphat put God’s Kingdom in greater Spiritual order than at any time since Solomon. To ensure this order, he set “judges” in place and gave them principles to rule by: 1. Accountability to God (vs.6) 2. Integrity and honesty (vs.7) 3. Loyalty to God. (vs 9) 4. Concern for righteousness. (vs.10) 5. Courage. (vs.11) All of these are essentials to spiritual leadership.
The English word for courage comes from the French word coeur, which means “heart.” (Take heart!)
Jehoshaphat understood that before God’s people could be great and do great things they couldn’t lose heart. (Say, “don’t lose heart; take courage!”
General Omar Bradley remarked, “Bravery is the capacity to perform properly, even when scared half to death”
2 Corinthians 4:15-17NKJ For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
2 Corinthians 4:15-17TM Every detail works to your advantage and to God’s glory: more and more grace, more and more people, more and more praise! 16-18So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace.
Here’s the good news, God’s unfolding grace; God’s eternal weight of glory has come through Jesus Christ! (Vs.15, More and more grace, more and more people, more and more praise! Vs.16a So we’re not giving up. How could we!
Say, “Take Courage!” Courage and faith are alike; therefore, fear and lovelessness are twin. However, fear has many duplicates.
For instants, As I was jogging yesterday, the thought came back to me about “Face Book” that great social network, I heard an anchorman interviewing a doctor friday, they were talking about procrastination, and how millions are logging on to FaceBook to check their statics every few minutes. He said, “Millions of dollars were lost because of business men and women checking out on their obligations to take courage and do the right thing and work hard. Instead, they procrastinate and live below their means, without giving their best to themselves, God and mankind.”
Losing heart, fear and loveliness live together; they come from the same brand. (Failure)
Bear with me if you aren’t a FaceBook user, Hundreds and maybe thousands read what you put on FaceBook- I’m about to go under, pray for me I’m confused, I’m in a relationship, It’s complicated. I want to quit, It’s Monday, I wish it was Friday! I heard God say, “We sure can’t witness to the world when our witness on FaceBook is without Him.”
Where is our faith in God? Hebrews 11:1-2, 6NLT Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. 2 Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation. 6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
In 2 Chronicles 19, Jehoshaphat places all these as critical to get back in position with God: Accountability to God. 2. Integrity and honesty. 3. Loyalty to God. 4. Concern for righteousness. 5. Courage.
Do you know what one of the most popular quotes inside any locker room is? Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
H.G. Wells asked, “What on earth would a man do with himself if something didn’t stand in his way?” Every obstacle was made to teach, strengthen and make us wiser. The greatest people in history were those who faced the most difficult challenges with courage, and rose to the occasion.
In his book American Scandal, Pat Williams writes about Winston Churchill’s last months. He says in 1964, President Eisenhower went to visit the former Prime Minister. Eisenhower sat by the bold-spirited leader’s bed for a long period of time, neither speaking. After ten minutes, Churchill slowly raised his hand and painstakingly made the “V” for victory sign which which he had so often flashed to the British people during the war. Eisenhower, fighting back tears, pulled his chair back, stood up, saluted him and left the room. To his aide out in the hallway, Eisenhower said, “I just said goodbye to Winston, but you never say farewell to courage.”
When it comes to acting in courage you’ll notice: First, Courage usually involves getting it wrong before you get it right.
Most think that learning is passive, we read and listen; however, learning is a process: 1.Observe 2. Act
3. Evaluate 4. Re-adjust 5. Go back to step two-Act!
Secondly, Courage always takes the “high road.” Theodore Roosevelt once said, “The most important single ingredient in the formula of success, is knowing how to get along with people.”
Remember this, Committing an injury puts you below your enemy; taking revenge makes you even with him; forgiving him sets you above.
Jesus said in Matthew 5:39NKJ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
*Third, it takes courage to face the truth about yourself.
*Fourth, it takes courage to change when staying as you are feels more comfortable.
*Fifth, it takes courage to stand for your convictions when you know they’ll be challenged.
Because of Jehoshaphat’s convictions, what was the results in our text today? 2 Chronicles 20 Jehoshaphat prays, God hears and tells him that He has his back.
Listen to 2 Chronicles 20:17,21 You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you.” Vs.21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the LORD, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying: “Praise the LORD, For His mercy endures forever.” (Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir are defeated!)
Courage will defeat every enemy! Prayer.
