July 11 – Courage in the Face of Danger

Psalm 118:6

"The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?"

SITREP:

What do you hold onto when the threat is real, and fear creeps in? When the danger isn’t theoretical—but close, personal, and pressing? Psalm 118:6 is the defiant battle cry of someone who knows the battlefield well—and knows Who is in the fight with them. It’s the voice of courage born from conviction: “The Lord is with me.”

Breaking Down the Verse:

"The Lord is with me;" — Not a concept, not a belief from childhood—a present reality. This is a soldier’s assurance in the foxhole. God isn’t distant; He is with you.

"I will not be afraid." — Courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s the refusal to let it win. This is a decision. A stand. A statement that says: “I might feel it—but I will not bow to it.”

"What can mere mortals do to me?" — The threat of man is real—but it’s not eternal. When your soul is secured by God, no earthly force can overrule His authority.

This psalm was likely sung during national celebration, possibly during temple dedication or after a military victory. But its power isn’t reserved for post-battle joy—it speaks boldly in the middle of the fight. This is the kind of verse you grip when everything around you screams “retreat.”

How a Combat Veteran Can Live This Out:

Every warrior who’s faced real danger knows the weight of fear. It’s not cowardice—it’s survival instinct. Psalm 118:6 reminds every soldier of faith that real courage comes not from what you face, but from Who stands with you.

You’ve been in danger. You’ve moved under fire. You’ve stared down situations that most people only imagine.

And in those moments, you learned: fear is real—but so is the presence of God.

·         When you knew you might not come back, He was there.

·         When the mission went sideways, He didn’t abandon post.

·         When others panicked, He stood beside you.

This verse doesn’t promise an easy road. But it guarantees this: You will never walk it alone.

ENDEX:

Fear doesn’t have the final word—faith does. Soldier, you will face danger. But you never face it empty-handed or alone. God goes with you into every breach, every unknown, every firefight of the soul. Stand firm. Take courage. Because the question isn’t “What can man do?”—it’s “Who can stand against the Lord who stands with me?”

AAR:

What would you attempt if fear wasn’t gripping your chest? Psalm 118:6 makes a bold declaration—“The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” That’s not bravado—it’s battlefield clarity. When you know who’s got your six, the threats ahead lose their power. The fear of man, failure, or fallout starts to shrink. But this confidence doesn’t come from muscle or mindset—it comes from presence. God’s presence. Your challenge: Name the thing that’s been holding you back. Then declare, out loud if you have to, that the Lord is with you—and move forward like you believe it.

Stand Tall—You’re Not Alone in the Fight

Fear thrives in isolation. But you were never meant to fight alone. Psalm 118:6 isn’t theory—it’s a combat-tested truth. When the Lord is with you, the enemy's numbers don’t matter. The opinions of men don’t determine your outcome. You’re not fighting for favor—you’re fighting from it. So stop shrinking back when God’s already promised His presence. Stand your ground. Move with boldness. And remember—what can man really do to someone who’s walking in step with the Almighty? Not a thing that God can’t overrule.

Make your voice count—share what you’ve lived.

Share your experiences in the comments below. Your words could encourage someone else walking a similar path.

If you're comfortable, include as much or as little personal detail as you’d like. We suggest:

• Name
• Veteran, Retired, Family Member etc.
• Service Branch
• Years of Service (or Deployment Dates and Locations)

Every story matters—and yours might be exactly what someone else needs to hear.