Deut. 1:21
Behold, the Lord thy God hath set the land before thee: go up and possess it, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged. [NCV: don’t be afraid and don’t worry].
Dorothy:
This was a time that Moses and the people finally came to the “future Promise Land” and the people were scared of lots of difficulties and lots of opposition and lots of battles coming up. The word ‘fear’ seems to be very common among people. They were always afraid of many things that they had wanted to go back to Egypt. Why? Because it was their ‘security’ and it was very easy to ‘stay home.’ But that was not what God want. He had a bigger plan and a better place for His people. The land of the ‘unknown’ was very fearful thing for them. They were discouraged. So what does the words really means?
Fear means being afraid; feeling that danger or evil is near; dread; an uneasy feeling; anxious thought and concern. Dread means look forward to fear; dislike to experience; fear greatly; fear of something will happen or may happen. Discourage means take away the courage or brave; reduce the hope or have no confidence that thing will work. Fears hinder us from doing something great.
Another scripture in Deut. 1:29 “… Dread not, neither be afraid of them. [NCV: Don’t be frightened; don’t be afraid…] The Lord your God which goeth before you, he shall fight for you, according to all that he did for you in Egypt before your eyes.”
God’s words of encouragement were in Deut. 3:22 ‘Ye shall not fear them for the Lord your God shall fight for you.’ The Israelites faced powerful enemies whom they could not defeat in their own strength. Israel’s natural tendency was to fear the awful consequences [result] of defeat. ONLY BY LOOKING TO GOD, THEY COULD GAIN VICTORY. God’s word encouraged them to look to God who was bigger than the enemies. He showed His power in Egypt and He can do it again.
We as believers in Christ do face lots of difficulties and lots of battles. God promises to be with us and to give us strength and power to accomplish or do His will. Our prayers to God will help us realize that He alone has the strength to heal, and strength to give us the courage to face whatever we need to face. God in us can do the job He asks us to do. Praise the Lord! Greater is He that is in you than he [devil] that is in the world. When you believe, you feel strength. When you trust God, you sense blessing. When you love God, you feel peace and joy knowing He does care for you. May God bless you.
Song collection:
Faith in God can move a mighty mountain.
Faith in God can calm the troubled sea,
Faith will make the desert like the fountain,
Faith will bring the victory.
