Courage, Strength, & God's Presence

Written by Brad Graves, Senior Pastor

I love this verse, Ezra 7:28… "so I took courage because I was strengthened by the hand of the Lord my God…"

I have prayed it countless times over the years. Like Ezra, I want to lead people to follow God, I want to fulfill God’s will for my life, and I want people to see Christ in me the whole time I’m doing it.

So when he writes this verse I can relate. 

And I pray I receive the same three things he received from God. 

• Be courageous
• Be strengthened 
• Be in the hand of God

I love how they are more than tied together.

They are more than consequential.

They are inseparable and cannot exist independently from one another.

I can be courageous - that is seen in my strength and felt in God’s presence

I can be strengthened - that is seen in my courage and felt in God’s presence

I can be in the hand of God - that is seen in my courage and strength

For me, with out God on my side and in my life… I am weak and afraid. 

But like Ezra, I find my courage and strength by being in the presence of God.  

Dear God, please do not let me leave you today.

Oh to grace how great a debtor

Daily I'm constrained to be

Let Thy goodness like a fetter

Bind my wandering heart to Thee

Prone to wander, Lord I feel it

Prone to leave the God I love

Here's my heart Lord, take and seal it

Seal it for Thy courts above

*Come Thou Fount (I Will Sing)

Chris Tomlin

Brad Graves is the Senior Pastor at Ada First Baptist Church.

More info: Ada First Baptist Church | Brad's Latest Message