Do you ever feel like everyone is against you as a pastor? Do you feel like man with the world on his shoulders? Have you ever thought about quitting because you have no more courage left inside you? Don’t fret, we have all been there and experienced that. There is hope! Consider what God says in Psalm 31:24 “Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.”The truth is very plain pastor. You CAN make it and you CAN triumph! Look to God for strength! Consider the following Bible examples for encouragement this day…
Consider the following 15 Bible Examples:
#1 – After delivering Lot from the wicked kings and giving tithes to Melchizedek, Abraham had an experience that invigorated him!
(Genesis 15:1) “After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” (KJV)
#2 – The law of warfare is described in Deuteronomy!
(Deuteronomy 20:1) “When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.” (KJV)
#3 – Moses gave a charge to the priests, Levites and to Joshua!
(Deuteronomy 31:6) “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” (KJV)
#4 – Joshua is given a Divine charge! (Consider: Joshua 1:6 & 9 As Well!)
(Joshua 1:7) “Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.” (KJV)
#5 – Joshua is encouraged before the battle of Jericho!
(Joshua 5:14) “And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?” (KJV)
#6 – Caleb, the aged warrior, showed his valor in wanting to fight the battle in his old age!
(Joshua 14:12) “Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.” (KJV)
#7 – Jonathon exhibited his courage before his fellow soldier!
(1 Samuel 14:6) “And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.” (KJV)
#8 – David showed his faith to Saul before he went out before Goliath!
(1 Samuel 17:32) “And David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” (KJV)
#9 – Elisha’s servant was discouraged, but was encouraged when God’s man prayed for him!
(2 Kings 6:15-17) “And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.” (KJV)
10 – Nehemiah stood firm in the midst of a conspiracy!
(Nehemiah 6:11) “And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.” (KJV)
#11 – We see that Solomon made it plain that fear brings a snare to man!
(Proverbs 29:25) “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.” (KJV)
#12 – Isaiah encourages Israel by stated a great truth from God!
(Isaiah 41:10) “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” (KJV)
#13 – Daniel displayed some great courage in the midst of a hostile political climate!
(Daniel 6:10) “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.” (KJV)
#14 – Peter & John encouraged the church after a skirmish with the law, and the church prayed for boldness!
(Acts 4:31) “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.” (KJV)
#15 – Paul was encouraged when he was going through difficult time on the prison ship!
(Acts 27:23-24) “For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.” (KJV)
Conclusion
Pastors can endure hardness and win the victory! Sustenance must be sought from God Himself and not from themselves. Courage is, for all practical purposes, simply taking God at His Word and exercising faith in that same Word! No matter the battle… pastor you can make it!
Would you consider purchasing….
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Rut, Rot, or Revival |
By A.W. Tozer / Wingspread Publishers
In typical Tozer style and wit, Rut, Rot, or Revivalchallenges “sleeping” Christians to get out of their ecclesiastical ruts. Its chapters were originally preached as sermons at Avenue Road Alliance Church in Toronto. Whether spoken or written, Tozer’s words were designed to “promote personal heart religion” among God’s people.
