COURAGE


 

COURAGE

 

COURAGE, in English, is always such a positive word.

We never describe people as having “BAD COURAGE”

 

We refer to people as recklessness, hair-brained, fearless, rash… or even call someone a “daredevil”… but we would rarely consider that “COURAGE”.

 

 

The Hebrew word for “COURAGE”, [amats], can be either positive or negative.

 

For example, in Deut2:30NASB95 God hardened the king of Heshbon’s spirit…

“and made his heart OBSTINATE [amats]”…

 …in order for the Hebrew people to conquer the land

…and not merely walk through it. 

 

 

The verb “amats” conveys the idea of becoming firm, resolute, or emboldened…

…armoring up and just going for it… knowing full well…

…or even completely disregarding

 

…the great risk involved…  

 

 

Over and over YHWH commands His people to…

“…BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS!

…Do not be terrified or dismayed (intimidated)…”

 

And almost every time He decrees this… He emphatically states the reason behind it:

“FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO” (Josh1:9AMP)

 

 

Deut31:6AMP “BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS [amats], do not be afraid or tremble in dread before them, FOR IT IS THE LORD YOUR GOD WHO GOES WITH YOU. He will not fail you or abandon you.”

 

 

Although, in the above passages there were two different words used to denote “STRENGTH” and “COURAGE”, "amats” has also been frequently translated as “STRENGTH”.

 

For example: Isa41:10 [YHWH:] ‘Do not fear, for I am with you;

do not be afraid, for I am your God.

I will strengthen encourage you [immats’tika אִמַּצְתִּ֙יךָ֙],

I will also help you,

I will also uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

 

 

YHWH, HIMSELF, infused us with COURAGE, to take the STRENGTH AND POWER with which we have been endued…

…and move forward with it.

…THAT is the Biblical understanding of "amats” (COURAGE)

 

“amats” is not an absence of fear…

                 …rather, an inner fortitude granted by God and then expressed in decisive action…

…a bravery due to a confident trust in the LORD’s presence

 

…to bring His Kingdom wherever we go

 

 

 

It is ACTIVE EMPOWERMENT rather than emotional reassurance.

 

In every setting…

whether defined “STRENGTH” or “COURAGE”

It is not self-generated but grounded in the promise:

“FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU”

 

“…Greater is HE that is IN YOU than he that is in the world” (1Jn4:4)

                  “…CHRIST IN YOU, the hope of glory.” (Col1:27KJV)

 

HE IS IN YOU!!!

            …INFUSING COURAGE!


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