"'You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.' Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them, for the Lord is with you." 2 Chronicles 20:17 (NAS)
On this particular occasion God sent word that He Himself would come through for His people in this war, and they listened and believed, and He did not disappoint.
"Be strong and courageous, do not fear or be dismayed because of the king of Assyria nor because of all the horde that is with him; for the one with us is greater than the one with him." 2 Chronicles 32:7 (NAS)
Hezekiah's kingdom was under attack by the superpower of his time, but he had the sense to look to the Lord rather than the most hated and feared army of that day. His faith was rewarded.
"When I saw their fear, I rose and spoke to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people: 'Do not be afraid of them; remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives and your houses.'" Nehemiah 4:14 (NAS)
God had set Nehemiah and his people on a specific task. Nehemiah prayed to God and then encouraged the people when they were badgered, terrorized, threatened, and harassed, came up with a plan, refused to give up, and ultimately succeeded.
"You will be hidden from the scourge of the tongue,
And you will not be afraid of the violence when it comes." Job 5:21 (NAS)
Eliphaz implies that Job's troubles originated from Job's bad behavior--which the first chapter has revealed to be untrue--and seems to indicate that Job can save himself by fessing up. There are some elements of truth in what Eliphaz has to say, but if you're going to approach someone with this kind of sermon, you'd better be sure it's by the Holy Spirit's leading and not your own idealism.
"Then, indeed, you could lift up your face without moral defect,
And you would be steadfast and not fear." Job 11:15 (NAS)
Zophar advises Job to abandon his misdeeds. Overall a decent rule of thumb. Later though, we find out God wasn't impressed with Job's friends' treatment of Job during Job's time of distress. Be a little more compassionate with people in their dejection, and keep your eyes on Jesus, not your own efforts, as our Deliverer from wrongdoing and from hardship.
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