Strength and Courage, Part 4

With enough "don't be scared" references in the Bible that there's one for every day of the year, we are left with no excuse to be afraid.  So when we find ourselves tempted to fear, let's reflect on those scriptures.

"See, the Lord your God has placed the land before you; go up, take possession, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has spoken to you.  Do not fear or be dismayed."  Deuteronomy 1:21 (NAS)

When He sends you on a mission, He'll be with you through it.

"Then I said to you, 'Do not be shocked, nor fear them.'"  Deuteronomy 1:29 (NAS)

Moses was recounting sending the people of Israel up against an enemy who was literally bigger than they were; unfortunately they forgot that their own God was bigger than their enemy.  Let's remember that: God is bigger than any enemy!

"But the Lord said to me, 'Do not fear him, for I have delivered him and all his people and his land into your hand; and you shall do to him just as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon.'"  Deuteronomy 3:2 (NAS)

Don't forget previous victories.

"Do not fear them, for the Lord your God is the one fighting for you."  Deuteronomy 3:22 (NAS)

When you set out to do what God has for you to do, He is guaranteed to be working on your behalf.

"you shall not be afraid of them; you shall well remember what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt:"  Deuteronomy 7:18 (NAS)

You know the story of the ten plagues, and the Red Sea crossing.  We're still serving that same God, and He hasn't gotten tired or run out of ideas.

Strength and Courage, Part 3

The Bible is loaded with "do not fear" statements.

"I shall also grant peace in the land, so that you may lie down with no one making you tremble.  I shall also eliminate harmful beasts from the land, and no sword will pass through your land."  Leviticus 26:6 (NAS)

This promise was given to the people of Israel as a benefit of adhering to God's law.

"The Lord bless you, and keep you;

The Lord make His face shine on you,

And be gracious to you;

The Lord lift up His countenance on you,

And give you peace."  Numbers 6:24-26 (NAS)

Perfect spot for a mic drop, but the list continues.

"Only do not rebel against the Lord; and do not fear the people of the land, for they will be our prey.  Their protection has been removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them."  Numbers 14:9 (NAS)

Makes you want to stick with God, doesn't it?

"But the Lord said to Moses, 'Do not fear him, for I have given him into your hand and all his people and his land; and you shall do to him as you did to Sihon, king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon.'"  Numbers 21:34 (NAS)

Israel had requested to travel through Sihon's territory and he declared war on them in return.  He lost, and they took over his cities.

""You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall hear the small and the great alike.  You shall not fear man, for the judgment is God's.  The case that is too hard for you, you shall bring to me, and I will hear it."  Deuteronomy 1:17 (NAS)

Moses reminded his people to fear God rather than other people.  We can use the same reminder.

Strength and Courage, Part 2

Here are five of the Bible's 365 "fear not" references.

"He said, 'I am God, the God of your father; do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you a great nation there.'"  Genesis 46:3 (NAS)

Let God guide you, follow where He leads, and trust Him to be with you on the way.

"'So therefore do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.'  So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them."  Genesis 50:21 (NAS)

Joseph's brothers were afraid of retaliation once their father had died, but Joseph was sincere in his forgiveness.  We can be too.

"But Moses said to the people, 'Do not fear!  Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever.'"  Exodus 14:13 (NAS)

When you are on the path God has laid out for you, He's going to guard that path.

"Moses said to the people, Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin.'"  Exodus 20:20 (NAS)

Why does God test you, when He already knows your mind and your future?  He doesn't test us so He can learn about us.  He tests us so we can learn about ourselves.  And He wants to keep us from sin not just because it's offensive to Him, but because it's damaging to us.

Strength and Courage, Part 1

I've heard that the Bible has enough "Fear Nots" for each day of the year.  Let's check them out.

"After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, 'Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great.,"  Genesis 15:1 (NAS)

Let Him be your shield.

"God heard the lad crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, 'What is the matter with you, Hagar?  Do not fear, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is.'" Genesis 21:17 (NAS)

He hears you where you are.

"The Lord appeared to him the same night and said, 'I am the God of your father Abraham;

Do not fear, for I am with you.  I will bless you, and multiply your descendants,

For the sake of my servant Abraham.'"  Genesis 26:24 (NAS)

It seems relevant, to me at least, the He appeared to Jacob "the same night".  God's not late.

"When she was in severe labor the midwife said to her, 'Do not fear, for now you have another son.'"  Genesis 35:17 (NAS)

Even when Rachel was dying, she wasn't alone, had someone to comfort her, and got to know that her baby was all right.

"He said, 'Be at ease, do not be afraid.  Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks; I had your money.'  Then he brought Simeon out to them."  Genesis 43:23 (NAS)

Joseph's brothers didn't deserve the grace he showed them, but he made a huge positive impact on the world because he let God have his heart and his life.

So there we have five days' worth of reminders to be fearless.