How to Have Courage and Strength to Do the Right Thing

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It takes great courage to do the right thing when everyone else is going in a different direction.

Take a look at our current culture . . . where people are losing friends, positions, and platforms simply for saying something with which the crowd disagrees and/or disapproves.

In that context, Joseph of Arimathea gives us an example of courage in the face of peer pressure.

The crowds had screamed for Jesus to be crucified. The Jewish leaders desperately wanted Him dead. But although Joseph was one of them . . . he boldly stood for what was right even though it threatened his position and, likely, his life.

There was a good and righteous man named Joseph. He was a member of the Jewish high council, but he had not agreed with the decision and actions of the other religious leaders. He was from the town of Arimathea in Judea, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come. He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Then he took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in a long sheet of linen cloth and laid it in a new tomb that had been carved out of rock. 

Luke 23:50–53

Even when loud voices are screaming and applying immense pressure to comply and they demand that they are right . . . although, clearly in defiance of God’s Word, you and I are called, like Joseph, to stand strong.

We need to SEEK God’s truth and trust Him to give us what we need to follow His will.:

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.

Luke 12:31

Joseph trusted Jesus’ promises about God’s Kingdom. Joseph had believed and followed in secret but when the other disciples had fled in fear . . . God gave him the courage and strength he needed to do what was right.

A Prayer for God’s Help to Do the Right Thing

Father, please give me a hunger and thirst for Your Word. I want to KNOW, the TRUTH that will set me free. (John 8:32) I want to KNOW and TRUST JESUS, the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE. (John 14:6) Please make me a SEEKer of Your Kingdom. (Luke 12:31) Make it my heart’s desire to live each day loving You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. (Mark 12:30)

Please forgive me. My sins sent Jesus to His death. I am guilty and I am so sorry. I want to obey You. Too often, like Paul, I fail to do the right thing I want to do and I do those things that I don’t. Things You have told to do or not to do. (Romans 7:18–19) I need Your grace and mercy. I ask for Your forgiveness.

I believe You want to help me do the right thing. I believe Your Spirit is with me to guide me and give me courage and strength. I believe that grace, mercy, and love surround me. Please help me live each day doing Your will for Your glory. Amen.

No matter our race, gender, age, background or anything else . . . we will all always struggle with peer pressure. The enemy of our souls will always tempt us to follow the crowd and desire popularity.

And all of that may look desirable for a moment . . . but it can’t last.

Only one thing lasts forever. The Psalmist wrote:

The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever.

Psalm 119:160

On today’s note write:

God’s Word is the TRUTH that is always right.

May the Lord bless you today as You SEEK His will to do the right thing!

Click here to read the rest of Luke 23.

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