January 28th, 2026
(This was published on January 28th, 2026, in the 2025 Annual Report Booklet).
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
I Timothy 1:7 NKJV
What is the definition of courage? We could think of it as faith in action in the face of difficult or frightening circumstances. The presence of fear is what necessitates courage. In fact, it’s hard to define courage without reference to fear.
Fear is a natural response and a fundamental human emotion. Our nervous system uses fear to prepare us for action and protect us from danger. In the Bible, we’re commanded to “fear the Lord,” and Noah, “moved with godly fear,” obeyed God’s command to build an ark (see Hebrews 11:7).
At the same time, living in irrational or crippling fear can be detrimental to our physical, mental, and spiritual health. The command “Do not fear” occurs over three hundred times in the Bible, and it’s often coupled with an assurance of God’s presence. Consider Joshua, who not only succeeded one of the foremost prophets and leaders of the Old Testament but was also tasked with invading and conquering the Promised Land, a land full of fortified cities and even giants. The Lord said to him, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
Timothy, the Apostle Paul’s “son in the faith,” had a parallel task. He had to battle with the false teachers streaming into Ephesus. Though naturally reserved and perhaps even timid, Timothy was called to “command [them] to teach no other doctrine” (1 Timothy 1:3), “wage the good warfare” (1 Timothy 1:18), and “command and teach” these things (1 Timothy 4:11). In a second letter, Timothy was gently reminded that we have not been given “a spirit of fear.”
Interestingly, both Joshua and Timothy lived in a transitional period. Joshua led the Israelites from years of wandering to settling the Promised Land. Timothy pastored the church of Ephesus as the Apostolic Age ended. Why does this matter? The truth is, we are in a period of transition as well. Culture is shifting under our feet. Technology is rapidly changing. Our country has experienced a moral revolution in just one generation. Looking at all of this, our response can be fear and paralysis, or worry for our children, which can result in unfaithfulness to our task as disciples and ambassadors of Christ.
But the same God that was with Joshua and Timothy indwells us through the Holy Spirit today. As God told Joshua, “Only be strong and very courageous…” (Joshua 1:7). And as Christ told His disciples, “And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20b). As we begin a new year, let’s remember Christ’s presence with us and renew our courage, even as we take up the anthem:
Through days of preparation
your grace has made us strong;
and now, O King eternal,
we lift our battle song.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
I Timothy 1:7 NKJV
What is the definition of courage? We could think of it as faith in action in the face of difficult or frightening circumstances. The presence of fear is what necessitates courage. In fact, it’s hard to define courage without reference to fear.
Fear is a natural response and a fundamental human emotion. Our nervous system uses fear to prepare us for action and protect us from danger. In the Bible, we’re commanded to “fear the Lord,” and Noah, “moved with godly fear,” obeyed God’s command to build an ark (see Hebrews 11:7).
At the same time, living in irrational or crippling fear can be detrimental to our physical, mental, and spiritual health. The command “Do not fear” occurs over three hundred times in the Bible, and it’s often coupled with an assurance of God’s presence. Consider Joshua, who not only succeeded one of the foremost prophets and leaders of the Old Testament but was also tasked with invading and conquering the Promised Land, a land full of fortified cities and even giants. The Lord said to him, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
Timothy, the Apostle Paul’s “son in the faith,” had a parallel task. He had to battle with the false teachers streaming into Ephesus. Though naturally reserved and perhaps even timid, Timothy was called to “command [them] to teach no other doctrine” (1 Timothy 1:3), “wage the good warfare” (1 Timothy 1:18), and “command and teach” these things (1 Timothy 4:11). In a second letter, Timothy was gently reminded that we have not been given “a spirit of fear.”
Interestingly, both Joshua and Timothy lived in a transitional period. Joshua led the Israelites from years of wandering to settling the Promised Land. Timothy pastored the church of Ephesus as the Apostolic Age ended. Why does this matter? The truth is, we are in a period of transition as well. Culture is shifting under our feet. Technology is rapidly changing. Our country has experienced a moral revolution in just one generation. Looking at all of this, our response can be fear and paralysis, or worry for our children, which can result in unfaithfulness to our task as disciples and ambassadors of Christ.
But the same God that was with Joshua and Timothy indwells us through the Holy Spirit today. As God told Joshua, “Only be strong and very courageous…” (Joshua 1:7). And as Christ told His disciples, “And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20b). As we begin a new year, let’s remember Christ’s presence with us and renew our courage, even as we take up the anthem:
Through days of preparation
your grace has made us strong;
and now, O King eternal,
we lift our battle song.
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1 Comment
I read this aloud to myself and Sarina. How wonderful that God has given His word that we may know the many believers that were before us. The wisdom we can continually gain through each book of the Bible can assist us in the path and the tasks that are set before us. I believe that we should carefully understand the difference between earthly/human worry and fear. Fear that humbles us before the Throne of Majesty. As a child dependent on their parents to survive. It is there and only there where God freely gives us wisdom, strength and grace to equip us for the work and service here on earth. I appreciate this word from my Pastor. It reminds me of the courage Queen Esther had entering the King's Court without being invited. It proves how faithful He is. Just as He has always been and will be. For we do not come to a mountain burning with fire, we come before a merciful and longsuffering God. And Christ has gone before us as He intercede on our behalf.
nHosanna!