Encouragement (I Samuel 23:15-29)

I will strengthen your hand in the faith of the Lord,
And equip you that you persevere.
Let no enemy fright you with curses or sword,
Though his threatenings be grim and severe.

For the Lord has with you a blood-covenant cut,
There is naught that can sever that pledge.
Therefore since He has promised, know He will rebut,
He will blunt from your foeman his edge.

Though the wicked surround you with best laid of plans,
Yet his schemings will totally fail.
For your Father will rescue you out of his hands,
And the Father alone will prevail.

I adjure you my brothers and sisters -- don't fear!
Let anxiety melt in His hand,
And remember what's coming, when glory appears,
and we sit at the feast of the Lamb.

Courage by Faith (I Samuel 14:1-23)

The Lord is not restrained to save,
By many or by few.
No fear of failure or the grave,
That faith can not undo.
No fortress of the rebels' lies,
Can stand the Lord's assault,
Let it be made of any size,
But faith will lay it low.

Inexorable is Christ alone,
And He empowers us.
Our courage wielded from His throne,
Our victory in Jesus.

What bulwark stands before our way?
The Lord will break it down.
Do lions stalk us night and day?
He'll hunt them to the ground.
Do scorpions and serpents writhe?
Our feet will trample them.
Do people slander us with lies?
God hears and will defend.

Why stand uncertain of our call?
We must not hesitate.
For Christ revealed Himself to all,
We must proclaim Him great.
Let terror therefore fall away,
Let every fear subside.
With courage we will rise and slay,
The devil, world, and pride.

Foemen, Fear, and Faith (Isaiah 8)

From every angle foemen press with danger drawing near,
And every hour heightens stress — new worries and new fears.
I built a wall in human might and made a well-laid plan.
But it has failed and lost my fight; so much for trust in man.
I have no hope then left to me — so surely I will fall.
I’ll sink into obscurity, a ridicule to all.
Yet I’m not focused on the truth, but act like I’m alone.
My foemen are surrounded, too; my Father’s on the throne.
So he who trusts in human plans will surely plot in vain,
So to the Lord I lift my hands. I’ll not be put to shame.
I’ll fear no men’s conspiracy, but stand in faith unphased,
I’ll hope through all calamity to see my Father praised.
Within God’s walls I rest secure, my foemen disappear.
In Jesus’ strength I shall not swerve; He casts out all my fear.