Fear Not! A Guide to Living a Fearless LifeNäide

God + You = Us

“Then the two men started back. They went down out of the hills, forded the river, and came to Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to them. They said to Joshua, ‘The Lord has surely given the whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear because of us’" (Joshua 2:23-24, NIV).

Joshua had sent two spies into Jericho to see how they could take the city. Both men came back with a favorable report, which shows what a difference forty years can make. Moses had sent twelve spies into the Promised Land some forty years earlier, and only two men (Joshua and Caleb) came back with a positive report. The fear-filled reports from the other ten men put all the Israelites into panic mode, and as a result, that entire generation of people twenty years and older all died (except Joshua and Caleb) without getting to the Promised Land.

The fear the people of Jericho had was not fear of the Israelites, per se; rather, it was fear of Israel’s God. If you take God out of the “us” equation, you have an average Israelite army at best with very little training or weaponry.

Rahab the prostitute had told the spies the people of Jericho had heard all the stories of what God had done for Israel; drying up the Red Sea, crushing the Egyptian army, and defeating the two Amorite kings. She said, “When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone's courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below” (Joshua 2:11, NIV).

God had already promised Joshua victory. “I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses” (Joshua 1:3, NIV). Despite the promise and all Joshua had seen, I’m still certain he was nervous and a bit scared because God told him three times in the next few verses to be strong and courageous.

Being the leader can be scary; Joshua had just taken over as the leader of the Israelites from Moses. Going into new and unfamiliar territory can be frightening, too. So, if you are a bit scared about taking over in a leadership capacity or heading into an unfamiliar direction, you are in good company. Stephen King knows something about scary stuff since he has made a living trying to frighten people. King said, “The scariest moment is always just before you start.” If God has placed some burden on your heart that is a little scary, muster up your strength and courage to take that first step in faith.

“As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Joshua 1:5, NIV). Remember, God + you = Us, and God has a perfect record! So what do you really have to fear?

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, since You will never leave me nor forsake me, I really do not have any reason to live in fear. When I’m approaching something new or different that appears to be scary, please give me the courage to step out in faith and take the first step. Help me to be strong and courageous. In Jesus name, amen.