* Psalm 31:24 - Be of Good Courage

{Psalm 31:24} Be of good courage, and he will strengthen your heart, all you who hope in Jehovah. -- RLIV.

IT would seem as though the Adversary at times attempted to discourage us by making us think that the trials and difficulties of the "narrow way" of sacrifice will be unavailing anyhow, and that we might as well give up.... And what course should we pursue at such a time? We should follow the example of our Lord, and seek the Father's face, anxious to know whether or not our interests are all right with Him; anxious for some assurances that while the world may hate us, and say all manner of evil against us falsely, we still have His approval; anxious for some fresh assurance that it will be well with us, that the Lord will grant us a part in the better resurrection to life eternal. -- Based on an excerpt from "Gethsemane -- Watching and Praying"  ZWT, February 15, 1901 (Daily Heavenly Manna, January 22).

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Psalm 31 is believed to have been written by David. We do not know when it was written or if there were any special circumstances in David's life that is being addressed in the Psalm. Nevertheless, Psalm 31:7 refers to adversities and afflictions, and we know that David did go through many afflictions and faced many adversities in his life. The words, however, set forth promises that are applicable to all of God's people at any time, for all have afflictions and adversities to bear.

Courage is needed if we are to stand up for righteousness in a world full of sin. Nevertheless, the majority of the world is full of fear, apprehension, distrust and worry. It is easy for our fallen flesh to become entangled in the same. Through the Psalmist's words, we who belong to Christ are assured that our Heavenly Father is in control and that we should put full trust in him, no matter what the situation. If we have such faith, trust, we can be sure that he will strengthen us. However, we have three adversaries that would attack our faith and our trust in Jehovah, our Heavenly Father: our own sinful flesh with its desires and sinful tendencies; Satan would tempt us in whatever way he can, and the world that would deem anyone who actually practices righteousness according to God's standards to be foolish. Only those who take courage and put their full trust in our Heavenly Father through Jesus will be enabled to overcome. 

The promise is that if we put our trust in Jehovah, he will strengthen our hearts. Our heavenly Father knows that we all face problems and troubles, and while he permits them, he promises that if we put our trust in him, he will strengthen us. To put our trust in him calls for us actively have faith in him regardless of what may happen. All of God's people as we as those of the world are presently enduring the harshness of life in a world that is separated from God and under his wrath. God's people, however, are especially called to suffer since they will in the age to come serve with Jesus in the work of judging the world. -- Ronald R. Day, Sr.

Related Scriptures: Deuteronomy 31:23; Joshua 1:5-9; 1 Chronicles 22:13; 2 Chronicles 15:7; 2 Chronicles 19:11; 2 Chronicles 32:7,8; Psalms 25:1-22; 27:1-14; Psalm 29:11; Psalm 31:24; Psalm 34:7; Psalm 138:3; Lamentations 3:24; Ezekiel 2:6; Ezekiel 3:9; John 16:33; Romans 8:35-39; Romans 15:12,13; 1 Corinthians 16:13; Philippians 4:13; Ephesians 1:19; Ephesians 3:16; Ephesians 6:10; Colossians 1:11; 2 Timothy 1:7; Hebrews 12:12,13; James 5:10,11; 1 Peter 1:21.

GOD'S ANVIL

PAIN'S furnace-heat within me quivers,

God's breath upon the flame doth blow,

And all my heart in anguish shivers,

And trembles at the fiery glow;

And yet I whisper, As God will!

And in His hottest fire hold still.

He comes and lays my heart all heated,

On the hard anvil, minded so

Into His own fair shape to beat it,

With the great hammer, blow on blow;

And yet I whisper, As God will!

And at His heaviest blows hold still.

He takes my softened heart and beats it,

The sparks fly off at every blow;

He turns it o're and o're and heats it,

And lets it cool, and makes it glow;

And yet I whisper, As God will!

And in His mighty hands hold still.

Why should I murmur? For the sorrow

Thus only longer-lived would be;

It's end will come, and will, tomorrow,

When God has done His work in me;

So I say, trusting, As God will!

And trusting to the end, hold still.

He kindles, for my profit purely,

Affliction's glowing fiery brand,

And all His heaviest blows are surely

Inflicted by a master hand;

So I say, praying, As God will!

And hope in Him and suffer still.

Related (We do not necessarily agree with all statements made by authors linked to below):

Be of Good Courage

Good Courage Required for Overcoming

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