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Stouthearted!

Steve the Stouthearted; it has a nice medieval ring to it, maybe even middle earth overtones. 

I noticed that word “stouthearted” recently in Psalm 138, verse 3:  “When I called, you answered me; you made me bold and stouthearted.”  (NIV, 1973)

The word stouthearted is used in the Bible to describe individuals who exhibit courage, determination, and resilience, often in the face of adversity or opposition. This characteristic is seen as a virtue, reflecting steadfastness in faith and purpose. The stouthearted are those who remain firm in their convictions and are not easily swayed by fear or doubt (from The Bible Hub website).

And yet to be bold and stouthearted for most is not something that just comes naturally, we need the Lord to make us bold and stouthearted.  And, from the verse above, it appears that he does so in response to us calling on him.  So it probably wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to say that those who have been made bold and stouthearted by the Lord have shown a deep and abiding trust in the Lord and have asked Him for boldness and stoutheartedness.

The word “stouthearted”, however, doesn’t always have such positive meanings.  In some biblical connotations, it can refer to being stubborn or resistant toward God.

Steve the Stouthearted, not in the way of being stubborn or resistant but in the way of having courage, determination and resilience.    

But as I was looking at other versions of that verse, the one that used some wording that most resonated with how I’ve been feeling these days and what I think I might need, is found in the NET version:  “When I cried out for help, you answered me. You made me bold and energized me.”

I certainly wouldn’t mind it if the Lord would be so kind so as to energize me!

Hmmm, maybe I should ask Him!

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