Be strong and of good courage." Joshua 1:6, 9, 18,10:25; Deut. 31:6; 1 Chron. 22:13
It's a command. A command I've known since childhood. But a command that I have often wrongly viewed as a suggestion. If there is one area that the Lord has helped me to grow in, it is trusting Him. And I know I have far to go yet.
Fear is a funny thing. It often makes very little sense intellectually, particularly for the Christian. God will never give us what is not for His glory and our good. He will never give us more than we can handle. Yet I have found and still find myself worrying about the silliest little things. Have I forgotten that God knows the hairs on my head? (Luke 12:6-7) Have I forgotten that He is always with me? (Matt. 28:20) Most importantly, have I forgotten that God has commanded me as His child to not be afraid? (Josh. 1:9) Have I forgotten that I am to obey? I choose to forget all of these things when I choose to be afraid. And like other sins, the end result of fear is never worth what was "gained" by temporarily caving to the flesh.
But God promises that those who trust in Him will be blessed. He promises that those who fear Him, He will protect.
Psalm 34:7-8, "The Angel of the Lord encamps around all of those that fear Him, and delivers him. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him."
And there is such joy in obeying this command. I'm sure that I don't have to tell you that fear and worry causes so much pain. Not only physically, but emotionally and relationally. There have been times in my life when I really didn't want to do something because I was afraid. On one particular instance, some years ago, My dad, being the loving father that he is, made me do it in spite of my fear. And even though, I'm ashamed to say, that I didn't always do it willingly, there was a joy in obeying him - and in a larger way in obeying God.
One time a Sunday school teacher of mine said this, "that Satan is on a leash. He can only go so far as God will let him." (The book of Job expounds on that...) Those words I think have comforted me the most. God is in control of what Satan does and does not do. Nothing will ever happen outside of God's plan. It's prefect, it's flawless, and even though at times it may seem backward, God has a master plan that will be accomplished eventually. I can trust Him with that.
There is no reason for me to disobey Him. He will give us the grace we need to be strong and of good courage, because He will be with us...always. :-)
Fear is a funny thing. It often makes very little sense intellectually, particularly for the Christian. God will never give us what is not for His glory and our good. He will never give us more than we can handle. Yet I have found and still find myself worrying about the silliest little things. Have I forgotten that God knows the hairs on my head? (Luke 12:6-7) Have I forgotten that He is always with me? (Matt. 28:20) Most importantly, have I forgotten that God has commanded me as His child to not be afraid? (Josh. 1:9) Have I forgotten that I am to obey? I choose to forget all of these things when I choose to be afraid. And like other sins, the end result of fear is never worth what was "gained" by temporarily caving to the flesh.
But God promises that those who trust in Him will be blessed. He promises that those who fear Him, He will protect.
Psalm 34:7-8, "The Angel of the Lord encamps around all of those that fear Him, and delivers him. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him."
And there is such joy in obeying this command. I'm sure that I don't have to tell you that fear and worry causes so much pain. Not only physically, but emotionally and relationally. There have been times in my life when I really didn't want to do something because I was afraid. On one particular instance, some years ago, My dad, being the loving father that he is, made me do it in spite of my fear. And even though, I'm ashamed to say, that I didn't always do it willingly, there was a joy in obeying him - and in a larger way in obeying God.
One time a Sunday school teacher of mine said this, "that Satan is on a leash. He can only go so far as God will let him." (The book of Job expounds on that...) Those words I think have comforted me the most. God is in control of what Satan does and does not do. Nothing will ever happen outside of God's plan. It's prefect, it's flawless, and even though at times it may seem backward, God has a master plan that will be accomplished eventually. I can trust Him with that.
There is no reason for me to disobey Him. He will give us the grace we need to be strong and of good courage, because He will be with us...always. :-)
4 comments:
Brooke,
Thanks for the post and a great reminder about trusting God, and what fear can do!
I am probably the complete opposite when it comes to fear. I don't seem to have much fear. Some may say that is a great thing. In some ways it is, in some ways it isn't. Having little fear, I tend to be reckless, and daring in ways that could lead to major accidents to myself. Even that I don't really fear.
But lack of fear can create problems of its own. I am very confident in myself. I think I can handle about any situation. I think I know what is best. Lack of fear has created a lot of pride in my life. This pride leads to not trusting God, and to not fearing him the way I should. So I end up doing the same thing you do, and not trust God for the best.
I guess there are two types of fear here. The fear of the world, and what can happen to you in it. And the fear of a Holy God.
When it come to the fear of the world, we have to trust God to care for and protect us! I heard a saying once. We can live in fear, and let fear rule our lives, or we can face our fears and live out live. I would rather live my life than live in fear and not do anything.
When if come to the fear of God, that is the most important. The fear of God is wisdom (Job 28:28, Ps 111:10, Prov 1:7). And there are many other verses. With the fear of the Lord, we have wisdom, confidence (Pr 14:26), life (Pr 14:27), and riches and honor (Pr 22:4).
It is amazing how fearing God takes care of everything else. If we fear and trust God, we no longer fear the world. But we also not longer are prideful. We have confidence in God, but know that he is our strength and not ourselves.
You may fear the world. I may be too proud, and not fear, and not trust. The fear of the Lord brings wisdom to deal with both issues, and come closer to God.
Thanks again for the great reminder.
Andrew
Andrew,
Thanks for commenting! You bring up an excellent point in the balance between the two. I haven't thought of it that way much. You're right - fearing God is the answer, whichever way one may lean. Great point!
Brooke, I'm usually just a lurker, but I had to tell you that this post was perfect timing for me. I love that commandment and I was forgetting it. Thank you for reminding me. =)
Ashely,
Thanks for commenting! I'm glad that it was encouraging to you! :-)
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