Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. – Joshua 1:9
Joshua served many roles in the leadership of ancient Israel. He was Moses’ aide, a spy, a military leader, and he succeeded Moses as a national leader, taking the Hebrew people into the Promised Land. God spoke to him, as He had done with Moses, and the Lord told Joshua many times to be “strong and courageous,” to not fear.
In a step to create a new nation through the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, America’s forefathers wrote these words:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Such an endeavor took strength and courage … and led to the Revolutionary War. It takes courage to face the enemy, to engage in battle, and those who fought for America’s independence were no exception. Heroes from that war, like George Washington, Henry Lee III, Paul Revere, and John Paul Jones, showed courage and strength in the midst of conflict and chaos, helping establish a new country that we celebrate each July Fourth.
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For decades, people in the pro-life world have engaged in battle to save unborn children from abortion. Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court gave a victory to the movement by rescinding Roe v. Wade and sending the issue of abortion back to the states. And though many state governments have passed laws regulating abortion, lawsuits like the one in my home-state of Wyoming continue to keep pro-life laws from being enacted. Battles continue raging as do pro-abortion extremists who seek to intimidate pregnancy resource centers like CompassCare in New York.
I’m sure we often wonder ‘When will this end?’
Jesus told His disciples, “In this world, you will have trouble.” As Christ-followers, we need to remember that statement applies to us as well. Yet, our Lord also encouraged them, and us, with this statement: “But take heart: I have overcome the world.”
Contemporary Christian singers and songwriters remind us of the power and promises of God. Songs such as “Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies),” sung by Chris Tomlin, and “Battle Belongs,” and “This is Our God,” both sung by Phil Wickham, are inspiring reminders of God helping His people.
“Remember that fear that took our breath away? Faith so weak we could barely pray?
But He heard every word, every whisper... Never once did He fail, and He never will.
This is our God, this is who He is, He loves us.”
– This is Our God, Phil Wickham
Just as the Lord encouraged Joshua (see Joshua 1:9) and others in the Old and New Testaments, He continues to encourage His followers today, through Scripture and through song. Music and Bible verses could have sustained people living and fighting during the American Revolution as well, such as “A Mighty Fortress is Our God,” crafted by Martin Luther in 1529, and the Psalm which states, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble” (Psalm 46:1).
Throughout Scripture, we are assured God is with us. He never leaves us or forsakes us. No matter how we feel, no matter the foes that come against us, the Lord promises to be with us.
In a post-Roe American world, battles remain. Many pro-life pregnancy centers and organizations continue to be attacked. Yet, others see and take the opportunity to expand their outreach. For example, Vida, a center in Appleton, Wisconsin, purchased a larger building in 2021, added maternity housing to its services this year, and may expand its outreach to another community in the future. All these endeavors, and others underway, take courage and strength and the belief God is leading and guiding. Joshua did so as did America’s founding fathers and military heroes.
As we celebrate another American Independence Day and enter a new month, with half of 2023 in our rearview mirror, may we heed God’s call to be strong and courageous as we seek to preserve lives that God sees as precious, the unborn and their mothers, and share the loving Gospel of Christ to this hurting world.
Tweet This: As we celebrate Independence Day may we be strong and courageous seeking to preserve the lives of the unborn and their mothers
“When all I see is the battle, you see my victory … When I fight, I will fight on my knees,
my hands lifted high … Oh, God, the battle belongs to you.” – Battle Belongs, Phil Wickham
