God plus anyone is always a majority

With the history lesson over, Moses recounts the instructions for how the Israelites are to live, in order to honor and to represent God. Civil, personal, worship, and battle. In Deut 20:3, they are told that when facing enemies, though they see armies and resources greater than themselves, FearNot. God plus anyone, even only one, is always a majority.

God will never leave or forsake us

Moses’ time of teaching is over – the Levites are about to receive his volume of writings and the commission to preserve them and reread them to all Israel every 7 years. Moses knows full well, as God does, that the hearts of people are bent toward rebellion, and the heart of God is bent toward His people – all those who would trust in Him. It is nearly time for Joshua to be formally commissioned as the new leader…and Moses repeats in Deut 31:6 and 31:8, “Be strong and courageous, FearNot, God will never leave you nor forsake you.”

This promise is valid for us as well, we who trust in Him – He has promised never to leave us nor forsake us, a very good reason to #FearNot.

A relationship with God conquers fear

Josh 1:9 Moses is dead, Joshua is fully in charge, and God tells him Be courageous, obedient, and diligent…FearNot‬, I am with you. Cross Jordan, conquer Jericho.

Those in relationship with I Am can face challenges with courage to the extent that they are diligent about seeking and obeying His instructions.

God + our obedience = victory

The crossing of the Jordan and the battle of Jericho are behind them, the Israelites are victors because they obeyed the Lord. That is, all but one… Because Achan chose to keep some of the Lord’s spoils for himself against direct orders, Israel got beat in a followup battle by a much smaller group, the people of Ai. We cannot overcome the challenges we face when we are disobeying the God we claim to serve – the One who fights for us will withdraw His help when we withdraw our obedience.

The trouble was found and dealt with, and in Joshua 8:1, God comes back to Joshua to rebuild what was lost within the heart of the leader of Israel. God told him, FearNot and don’t be discouraged – go back to the place where you were defeated and I will go with you – the victory and the spoils will be yours.

We often do the same – on the heels of a great victory we forget to seek God, confident that victory will be ours again. In the face of these unexpected losses we can get buried in discouragement. Victory is never a guarantee without two key ingredients – God’s will, and our obedience. If, however, you are assured of these, you are assured of victory. FearNot.

God doesn’t recall what He’s forgiven

Josh 10:8 – The second time around, in obedience, they conquered Ai. Five Amorite kings discussed going to war with the Israelites, and one city (Gibeon) decided on another tactic. In short, they disguised themselves as distant foreigners and asked for a treaty. Joshua & co granted the treaty without asking God first, but their oath being sacred, they were bound.

The Amorite kings attacked Gibeon so they could take on Israel without dealing with an additional army, and Gibeon asked for Israel’s help. Trapped in an oath, knowing he hadn’t consulted God before making this treaty, and still nursing wounds from an earlier disobedience – this is not a good position to fight from…. Yet, God said #FearNot, I have given you this battle as well.

We often get ourselves into tight spots, usually because we didn’t check in with God first, or we let someone convince us that they have the right, even godly, plan… Even in such a place, those in relationship with God can count on Him making it right. We remember our faults, He’s determined not to remember anything He has forgiven. #FearNot.

God Himself fights for His own

Josh 10:25 – The five Amorite kings, being soundly defeated in battle, ran to hide in a cave – and Joshua had the cave sealed until the battle was complete. Then he gathered the kings and instructed his military captains to observe and participate in the execution of these leaders. Joshua told his men to fear not, because God would conquer all their enemies as He had conquered these who came against them. Joshua knew his army would have more battles before they settled into the place God promised them, and he knew the character of his people, that opposition and discomfort would restart the appeals to go back to Egypt. For some, forgotten slavery is more palatable than ongoing fights for freedom.

When we are called to the Christian life, we are called to the cross – it’s a challenge, not a spa membership… we may at any moment be called to carry our cross, carry someone else’s cross, or hang upon a cross. One cannot read of Jesus, Paul, Peter, Stephen, and others honestly and conclude they were apologetic backpedalers – they were men – they taught, they encouraged, they served, and they challenged. The enemy of our souls has not surrendered in the generations since then, neither should we – nor should we fear what he or his followers may threaten.

FearNot, God Himself fights for those who fight beside Him.

(See Also: Ephesians 6:10-18)

God will get it done, with or without us

Today’s #FearNot is a bit unusual…but there’s still a point to be made, so here goes…

After Joshua dies, the Israelites entered the time of the Judges, people God raised up to handle situations from time to time. In Judges 4, the judge is a woman named Deborah, and she tells a man named Barak to go into battle, guaranteed that God will be with him and he will win. He answers that if Deborah will join him, he will obey. She did, the battle was won, but the victory for taking down the commander of the Canaanite army would belong to a woman.

The phrase “Fear Not” shows up when a woman, Jael, tells the Canaanite commander not to fear entering her tent to hide. Then she assassinated him (and hopefully got a new tent). It was a ruse, so it doesn’t seem to fit the “Fear Not” theme, but then it does…

When God has a plan, He will accomplish it. He gives first dibs to a person, in this case Barak, but then He’ll get the job done through someone else if need be, in this case Jael. Barak feared, Jael didn’t, and the rest is history.

When God gives you an assignment, #FearNot – He’ll get it done, with or without you.