The Cost of Following Christ

09/25/23 – 10/02/23

A Plan for Victory

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  10/02/23

None of the heroes of faith we learn about in Hebrews 11 would have experienced victory with a weak, ineffective faith. Each of them was courageous in their faith because they knew the enormity of God’s power and trusted that He would follow through on His promises. They knew that if God commanded them to act in battle, then God had a plan for victory. God’s plans may not always make sense to us, but if God is truly speaking, then we must follow in obedience.

Can you imagine what Joshua must have felt walking in circles around Jericho? Or what Gideon must have felt facing an army “thick as locusts” (Judges 7:12)? Yet they followed through with God’s plan because they had courageous faith.

Only courageous faith will keep us going when we are puzzled by our circumstances, suffering for our choices, and walking through the valley. Following God’s plan will not always be easy, but we can trust that the all-powerful God will continue to equip us, guide us, and strengthen us in our battles.

We must always trust in the good and holy God who will never make a mistake. We must persistently believe in the sovereign hand of God, who is working all things “for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28). We must continuously call on Him in prayer and follow Him with all our hearts. We must remember that even in our suffering we are victorious because our eternal dwelling place is in heaven. No matter what situations or enemies we face, we can be confident because Christ has won the greatest victory—and that is a great foundation for courageous faith.

Prayer: God, thank You for the examples of courageous faith found in Your Word. Help me to always trust You and Your plan for victory. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory” (Deuteronomy 20:4).