Key verses by theme
Key Bible Verses about Courage
Important passages about courage, each shown in full in your chosen Bible version with its setting and meaning.
Trace this theme through Scripture: Courage
13Moses said to the people, “Don’t be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today; for you will never again see the Egyptians whom you have seen today. 14The LORD will fight for you, and you shall be still.” Stand still and see the salvation of the LORD
Israel is trapped between the sea and Pharaoh's army. Moses tells the terrified people that the LORD will fight for them; the sea opens in the verses that follow.
Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or scared of them, for the LORD your God himself is who goes with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you.” Be strong and courageous
Moses, about to die, tells Israel that the LORD will go with them into the land and will not abandon them. He then gives Joshua the same charge (31:7-8).
8This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success. 9Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Meditate on the law; be strong and courageous
The LORD commissions Joshua after Moses' death. Courage is tied to keeping the book of the law and to the promise that the LORD is with him wherever he goes.
45Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin; but I come to you in the name of the LORD of Armies, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46Today, the LORD will deliver you into my hand. I will strike you and take your head from off you. I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines today to the birds of the sky and to the wild animals of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, 47and that all this assembly may know that the LORD doesn’t save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hand.” In the name of the LORD
David answers Goliath: he comes not with sword and spear but in the name of the LORD, so that all may know that "the battle is the LORD's".
For if you remain silent now, then relief and deliverance will come to the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Who knows if you haven’t come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” For such a time as this
Mordecai urges Esther to plead with the king for her people, suggesting she may have come to her royal position for such a time as this. God is never named…
The LORD is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid? The LORD is my light and my salvation
The opening of a psalm that moves from confidence to urgent prayer and ends, "Wait for the LORD" (27:14).
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. God is our refuge and strength
A song of confidence in God's protection when the earth shakes and the nations rage. It is traditionally linked with Jerusalem's deliverance, though the psalm names no event.
I heard the Lord’s voice, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am. Send me!” Here I am. Send me!
After his vision of the LORD and the cleansing of his lips, Isaiah hears God asking whom he should send, and answers at once.
Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness. Don't be afraid, for I am with you
Spoken to Israel, God's chosen servant, in a time of exile and threat: God promises to strengthen, help and uphold them.
17If it happens, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image which you have set up.” But even if he does not
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego tell Nebuchadnezzar that their God can rescue them from the furnace, "but if not", they still will not worship his image.
I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.” I have overcome the world
Jesus' last words to the disciples before his prayer in John 17: in the world they will have trouble, but they can take heart, because he has overcome the world.
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. The armour of God
Paul ends Ephesians by urging believers to be strong in the Lord and put on the whole armour of God to stand against the devil's schemes (6:10-18).
For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control. Not a spirit of fear
Paul reminds Timothy that God gave a spirit of power, love and self-control, and urges him not to be ashamed of the gospel.
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts. Always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear, Always be ready to give an answer
Peter writes to believers facing hostility: honour Christ as Lord and be ready to explain the hope they have, with gentleness and respect.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love. Perfect love casts out fear
Love made complete in God leaves no room for the fear of punishment.
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