12-3-20 THOUGHTS

The people of God are often told to be STRONG and COURAGEOUS.  The basis for that Godly encouragement is always the same...  THE LORD YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU! 
Deut 31:1-6    So Moses went and spoke these words to all Israel. 2  And he said to them, "I am a hundred and twenty years old today; I am no longer able to come and go, and the LORD has said to me, ‘You shall not cross this Jordan.’ 3  "It is the LORD your God who will cross ahead of you; He will destroy these nations before you, and you shall dispossess them. Joshua is the one who will cross ahead of you, just as the LORD has spoken. 4  "The LORD will do to them just as He did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, and to their land, when He destroyed them. 5  "The LORD will deliver them up before you, and you shall do to them according to all the commandments which I have commanded you. 6  "Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you."
Some battle language in 2Sam 10:12,    "Be strong, and let us show ourselves courageous [and let us play the men KJV]  for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God; and may the LORD do what is good in His sight."

Ps 27:14    Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.
Ps 31:24    Be strong and let your heart take courage, All you who hope in the LORD.

The following adds a sweet social idea to GOD’S BEING WITH US.  The ENCOURAGEMENT BETWEEN BROTHERS is surely sermon material.
Isa 41:6-10   Each one helps his neighbor And says to his brother, "Be strong!" 7  So the craftsman encourages the smelter, And he who smooths metal with the hammer encourages him who beats the anvil, Saying of the soldering, "It is good"; And he fastens it with nails, So that it will not totter. 8  "But you, Israel, My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, Descendant of Abraham My friend, 9  You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, And called from its remotest parts And said to you, ‘You are My servant, I have chosen you and not rejected you. 10   ‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’
1Cor 15:57   but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1John 5:4   For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith.

My Prayer:
Oh God, the giver of our victory, strengthen us each moment that we live.  May we learn to wait on you, for you are our strength in time of trouble.  We need you always as the rock to which we flee.  Help us to be strong and courageous Oh Lord.  Keep our faith and grow it, that we may be with you eternally.  Accept our love, Oh God of heaven and earth.
In the precious name of our savior Jesus...               Amen