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Random Bible Verse About Courage

Draw a random Bible verse about courage, with a short note on where it comes from and what it means.

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Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

Genesis 12:1 KJV

Courage as the Bible describes it

Biblical courage is not the absence of fear. Moses, Joshua, Gideon, Jeremiah and Esther were all afraid, and the text says so. What changes their behavior is a reason to act: a promise that God is with them, a calling, or a moral line they will not cross. The command to be strong and courageous is almost always paired with the reminder that God goes with the person.

Different faces of courage

Some verses show courage in battle, as with David and Goliath. Others show quiet courage, such as Daniel praying when it was dangerous or Esther approaching the king unasked. In the New Testament, courage often means speaking truthfully under pressure, as Peter, John and Paul did before authorities.

Ways to use these verses

Read the story behind a verse before a hard meeting, a medical visit or a big decision.
Ask what the person in the passage was actually afraid of.
Pick one small act this week that takes courage and do it.

For more variety, use the Bible verse randomizer, a random encouraging Bible verse, or the Bible verse of the day.

Verses in This Collection

Genesis 12:1 – Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
God tells Abram to leave his country and family for a land God will show him, a step taken without a map.
Exodus 14:13 – And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD , which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.
With the army behind them and the sea ahead, Moses tells the Israelites not to fear and to watch God's deliverance.
Exodus 2:3 – And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river’s brink.
A mother hides her baby for three months, then makes a basket to protect him, a quiet act of defiance.
Numbers 13:30 – And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.
Caleb silences the people and says Israel should go up and take the land, as they were well able.
Numbers 14:9 – Only rebel not ye against the LORD , neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not.
Joshua and Caleb urge the people not to fear the inhabitants of the land, since the Lord is with them.
Deuteronomy 3:22 – Ye shall not fear them: for the LORD your God he shall fight for you.
Moses tells Israel not to fear the nations because the Lord fights for them.
Deuteronomy 31:6 – Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Moses tells Israel to be strong and courageous because the Lord goes with them and will not leave them.
Deuteronomy 31:8 – And the LORD , he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
Moses repeats to Joshua that the Lord goes before him, and that he should not be dismayed.
Joshua 1:6 – Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous as he leads the people into the land.
Joshua 1:7 – Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
Joshua is told to be careful to follow the law that Moses commanded.
Joshua 1:9 – Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
God repeats his command to be strong and courageous, promising that he is with Joshua wherever he goes.
Joshua 10:25 – And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye fight.
Joshua tells his commanders not to fear, but to be strong and courageous, as the Lord will deal with their enemies.
Joshua 24:15 – And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD , choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD .
Joshua tells Israel to choose whom they will serve, and says that he and his household will serve the Lord.
Judges 4:8 – And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.
Barak says he will go to war only if Deborah goes with him, showing both his fear and his need.
Judges 7:2 – And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.
God reduces Gideon's army so that Israel cannot claim to have won by its own strength.
1 Samuel 14:6 – And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.
Jonathan and his armor bearer approach a Philistine garrison, believing the Lord can save by many or by few.
1 Samuel 17:32 – And David said to Saul, Let no man’s heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.
Young David volunteers to fight Goliath when the whole army is afraid.
1 Samuel 17:37 – David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.
David recalls how God delivered him from the lion and the bear, and says he will deliver him from Goliath.
1 Samuel 17:45 – Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
David tells Goliath that he comes in the name of the Lord of hosts, not with sword and spear.
1 Samuel 30:6 – And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.
David is distressed when his own men talk of stoning him, but finds strength in the Lord.
2 Samuel 10:12 – Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth him good.
Joab tells his brother to be of good courage for their people and the cities of God.
1 Chronicles 28:20 – And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD .
David tells Solomon to be strong and courageous and do the work of building the temple.
2 Chronicles 15:7 – Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.
The prophet Azariah tells King Asa to be strong and not give up, as his work will be rewarded.
2 Chronicles 32:7 – Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him:
Hezekiah tells his officers to be strong because there is a greater power with them than with the Assyrian king.
Ezra 10:4 – Arise; for this matter belongeth unto thee: we also will be with thee: be of good courage, and do it .
Ezra is urged to take on the difficult task of reform, with the people promising to support him.
Nehemiah 4:14 – And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.
Nehemiah encourages the builders to remember the Lord and fight for their families when enemies threaten.
Nehemiah 6:9 – For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God , strengthen my hands.
Nehemiah prays for strength when his enemies try to frighten the builders into stopping work.
Esther 4:14 – For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
Mordecai tells Esther that she may have come to royal position for such a time as this.
Esther 4:16 – Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.
Esther, knowing it is illegal to approach the king uninvited, asks the Jews to fast three days, then resolves to go in anyway.
Job 13:15 – Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.
Job says that even if God kills him he will trust him, though he still insists on arguing his case before God.
Psalm 23:4 – Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
David says that even in the darkest valley he fears no evil, because God is with him.
Psalm 27:1 – 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 described as light and salvation, so the psalmist asks whom he should fear.
Psalm 27:3 – Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
David says that even if an army encamps against him, his heart will not fear.
Psalm 27:14 – Wait on the LORD : be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD .
David urges himself and the reader to wait for the Lord and take courage.
Psalm 31:24 – Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD .
The psalmist tells everyone who waits on the Lord to be strong and let their heart take courage.
Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
God is described as refuge and strength, a help that is always found in trouble.
Psalm 56:3 – What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
When he is afraid, David says he will trust in God.
Psalm 56:11 – In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.
David repeats his trust in God and asks what mere man can do to him.
Psalm 91:5 – Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
The psalmist says the one who shelters in God will not fear terror at night.
Psalm 112:7 – He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD .
The righteous person is not afraid of bad news, because his heart is firm and trusts the Lord.
Psalm 118:6 – The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
The psalmist says that with the Lord on his side he will not fear, and asks what people can do.
Psalm 138:3 – In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.
The psalmist says that when he called, God answered and increased his strength.
Proverbs 28:1 – The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.
Proverbs 29:25 – The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.
Isaiah 6:8 – Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
Isaiah hears God asking whom he should send, and answers that he will go.
Isaiah 35:4 – Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.
The prophet tells those with anxious hearts to be strong and not fear, since God will come to save.
Isaiah 41:10 – Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
God tells his people not to fear, because he is with them and will strengthen and help them.
Isaiah 41:13 – For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.
God says he holds the right hand of his people and tells them not to fear.
Isaiah 43:1 – But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
God tells Israel he has redeemed them and called them by name, so they should not fear.
Isaiah 50:7 – For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.
The suffering servant says that God helps him, so he has set his face like flint.
Isaiah 51:7 – Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.
God tells those who know righteousness not to fear human reproach or be dismayed at revilings.
Jeremiah 1:8 – Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD .
God tells the young Jeremiah not to be afraid of those he will be sent to, because God is with him.
Jeremiah 1:17 – Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them.
God tells Jeremiah to get ready, stand up, and not be terrified, lest God terrify him.
Jeremiah 20:9 – Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay .
Jeremiah says that when he tries to stop speaking God's word, it burns like fire in his bones.
Ezekiel 2:6 – And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house.
God tells Ezekiel not to be afraid of the rebellious people or their words.
Daniel 1:8 – But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
Daniel resolves not to defile himself with the king's food, taking a quiet stand in a foreign court.
Daniel 3:17 – If it be so , our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego tell the king that their God is able to deliver them from the fire.
Daniel 3:18 – But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
They add that even if God does not rescue them, they will not worship the king's image.
Daniel 6:10 – Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
When a decree forbids prayer, Daniel goes home and prays three times a day as before.
Daniel 10:19 – And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.
An angel tells Daniel not to fear, that peace be with him, and to be strong.
2 Kings 6:16 – And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
Elisha tells his frightened servant, surrounded by an enemy army, that those on their side outnumber the enemy.
Haggai 2:4 – Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD ; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD , and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts:
God tells the leaders and people rebuilding the temple to be strong and work, for he is with them.
Zechariah 4:6 – Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.
The Lord says the work of rebuilding will not come by might or power but by his Spirit.
Matthew 10:28 – And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
Jesus tells his followers not to fear those who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul.
Matthew 14:27 – But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
Jesus comes to his disciples on the water during a storm and tells them to take heart, not to be afraid.
Matthew 14:29 – And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
Peter steps out of the boat and walks on the water toward Jesus.
Matthew 16:24 – Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Jesus says whoever wants to follow him must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow.
Matthew 28:10 – Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
The risen Jesus tells the women not to be afraid and to tell his brothers to go to Galilee.
Mark 5:36 – As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.
Jesus tells Jairus not to fear but only believe, after news arrives that his daughter has died.
Mark 6:50 – For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.
Jesus tells his frightened disciples to take heart, as it is he, and not to be afraid.
Luke 12:7 – But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Jesus says that the hairs of your head are numbered, and that you are of more value than many sparrows.
Luke 12:32 – Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Jesus calls his followers a little flock and tells them not to fear, because the Father will give them the kingdom.
John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Jesus tells his disciples that he gives them peace, so their hearts need not be troubled or afraid.
John 16:33 – These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Jesus tells his disciples to take courage, because he has overcome the world.
Acts 4:13 – Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
The council sees the boldness of Peter and John, and recognizes that they have been with Jesus.
Acts 4:29 – And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
The believers pray that God will enable his servants to speak his word with all boldness.
Acts 18:9 – Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:
In a vision, the Lord tells Paul in Corinth not to be afraid, but to speak and not be silent.
Acts 27:25 – Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
On a storm-battered ship, Paul tells the crew to keep up their courage, because he believes God.
1 Corinthians 16:13 – Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
Paul gives short commands: be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
Ephesians 6:10 – Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Paul says to be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
Ephesians 6:19-20 – And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Paul asks for prayer that he will make known the gospel boldly, even as a prisoner.
Philippians 1:20 – According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
Paul hopes that he will not be ashamed but will have full courage, so that Christ is honored whether he lives or dies.
2 Timothy 1:7 – For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Paul tells Timothy that God did not give a spirit of fear but of power, love and self-control.
Hebrews 13:6 – So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
The writer says we can confidently say the Lord is our helper, and we will not fear.
1 Peter 3:14 – But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye : and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
Peter says that if you suffer for righteousness, you are blessed, and tells readers not to fear their threats.
1 John 4:18 – There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
John says that perfect love casts out fear, since fear has to do with punishment.

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Every verse on this page comes from a hand-picked list of 86 Bible verses on this theme. Each one was checked against the KJV text and comes with a short note on its context.

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