Courage and the presence of God 
Another Old Testament passage casts light on a different aspect of obtaining courage – the importance of abiding in the presence of God. 

[In Exodus 13:21 we read how God made his presence known to Israel. “The LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light”.]

God lifted his presence when Israel made the golden calf. Moses took the tabernacle down and pitched it a good distance from the camp. If anyone sought the Lord he had to go outside the camp (Exodus 33). 

Then God spoke to Moses. "Go on up to the land I promised you," he said. ''I'll send an angel and drive out your enemies. But my presence won't go with you" (see Exodus 33:1-3). 

But then Moses said: "If your presence doesn't go with us, I don't want to go" (see Exodus 33:15). He wasn't after what God could give him; he was after God! So God decided to go up with him. 

We can do a lot of things without God's presence. He can even do a lot of things for us. But the presence of God is our source of courage and conquest. 

The presence is our point of reference. When the presence leads us into battle, our lives may be on the line, but God's purpose will prevail. 

Before I was converted in 1951, I wrestled with the presence of God. I wanted to be a Christian, but I didn't believe I could be a Christian. I wrestled with the convicting presence of the Holy Spirit. Finally I decided to follow the presence. I trusted Christ to make me a Christian, and he did. 

In 1955, God called me to be a preacher. I didn't want to be a preacher. But I could see where God's presence was going, and I went through the fear of losing the presence. Finally I surrendered to the call and followed the presence. 

In 1963, when I was spiritually dry, I didn't want to be a Pentecostal. I didn't want to speak in tongues. Tongues seemed like nothing but trouble to me. I was looking for the presence, not tongues, but the presence moved me right into a Pentecostal experience, including tongues. 

The presence took me where I didn't want to go. I wanted to move up the denominational ladder, and into certain circles that were appealing to me. But the presence seemed to move me to a new place, against all my roots, history, heritage, ambition. The presence of God led me to act courageously. 

Follow the presence. God has a purpose that's different than yours. If you're following your understanding and your logic, you're missing the focal point – the presence of God. 

A point of no return
Just as Israel crossed the Jordan, the presence of God will lead you past the point of no return, where your whole life becomes committed to God's purposes. 

The presence will lead you to points of action, steps you must take. Discern where the presence of God is moving in your life, and follow it. You will not be disappointed. 

Arc you facing a big decision in your life? Arc you wrestling with the changes you feel the Lord is leading you to make? Follow the presence. Make it your point of reference. Don't be afraid if it leads you into deep waters. God will reveal himself to you in a new way. 

A friend of mine said, "If Columbus had turned back, nobody would have blamed him. But nobody would have remembered him, either." Columbus fought the odds and even his crew to continue his voyage. You can turn back, but you'll miss the mission that God has for you. Follow the presence and press on with courage!