When you need motivation, Scripture points you to God's strength and presence: I can do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13); they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength (Isaiah 40:31); Be strong and of a good courage (Joshua 1:9); and He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it (Philippians 1:6).
Motivation in the Christian life is not hype—it is courage, renewed strength, and trust that God finishes what He starts. These twelve King James passages lift a weary or hesitant heart to act in faith. They differ from our never-give-up page, which focuses on endurance through long trials and finishing the course.
Strength to keep going
1. Philippians 4:13
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Motivation rests on Christ's strength for what He calls you to do.
2. Isaiah 40:31
"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary.
3. 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."
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.
4. Psalms 46:1
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Motivation includes knowing help is present, not distant.
Courage for the next step
5. 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."
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.
6. 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 said to Solomon… Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God… will be with thee; he will not fail thee.
7. 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."
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not… for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
8. Psalms 37:5
"Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass."
Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. Motivation includes committing the path, then trusting Him to act.
God finishes what He starts
9. Philippians 1:6
"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:"
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
10. Romans 8:28
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
11. 2 Corinthians 4:16
"For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day."
For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. Inner renewal fuels outer perseverance.
12. Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
A short prayer
Lord, renew my strength. Drive out fear and dismay; make me strong and of good courage. I commit my way to You—finish the good work You have begun in me. In Jesus' name, amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
New to this method? See our Bible study guide or pick a Bible reading plan.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best motivation Bible verses?
Philippians 4:13, Isaiah 40:31, Joshua 1:9, and Philippians 1:6 are among the most shared for Christian motivation.
Where does the Bible say be strong and of good courage?
Joshua 1:9 and Deuteronomy 31:6 (also 1 Chronicles 28:20 to Solomon). Courage is tied to God's presence, not self-talk alone.
How is motivation different from never giving up?
This page emphasizes renewed strength and courage to take the next step. Our never-give-up page focuses on long endurance and finishing the race under pressure.
What verse says God will finish what He started?
Philippians 1:6: He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
Related: Bible verses about never giving up · Bible verses about strength · Bible verses on hope · Bible verses about faith · Bible verses about trusting God
Explore more: All Bible verses by topic · KJV Bible verses · Verse of the day · Prayers · Bible study · Bible reading plans
