I Am Afraid; God Gives Courage!

October 3, 2024

I Am Afraid; God Gives Courage!

Most of the time, I am not content to just let life happen to me.  I would much rather be out there on the edge exploring the possibilities and stepping into something new.  In contrast, I know people who find it quite comfortable to sit back and let happen whatever is going to happen.

I know some may possess a more laid back personality than I do.  That’s OK!  Others may have been deeply hurt when they took a chance so they are no longer willing to take a risk.  I understand!  There are also some who simply lack confidence in themselves.  I get it!

But, I am convinced most people are not eager to step out into the next adventure because they have forgotten a promise of God. 

Joshua is called by the Lord God to lead the Israelite people into the Promised Land.  However, Joshua hesitates.  More accurately, Joshua resists the call of God to do a good thing for the Israelite people. 

Joshua is afraid to try.  He does not want to deal with the stubbornness of the Israelite people.  He does not want to deal with the short-sightedness of the Israelite people.  He does not want to deal with the wavering faith in the Lord of the Israelite people.  So, Joshua tells the Lord God, “No!”

The Lord God responds to Joshua with a “commandment.”  This is not a suggestion or a recommendation; this is a commandment from the Lord God!  Listen to the commandment the Lord gives to Joshua when he is afraid to try, when he is angry with people, when he cannot imagine himself serving the Lord in this way.

In Joshua 1:9 we hear; “I (Lord God) hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  It is normal to be afraid or angry.  However, the Lord God has little patience with those who use their fear or anger as an excuse to not do what the Lord wants.

The Lord commands Joshua to be courageous.  The Lord commands Joshua to be bold, assertive, and confident.  The Lord commands Joshua to be brave, daring, and positive.  In other words, the Lord commands those who are frightened or angry to be courageous. 

Courage is not something we muster up by giving ourselves a “pep talk” of some kind.  Courage flows out of a growing faith in Jesus.  In Ephesians 3:11-12 the Apostle Paul writes; “…Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access in boldness and confidence through faith in him.”

Paul reminds us that we find courage through our faith in Jesus.  So, if we are sitting back and letting life happen to us because we are afraid or angry, it is time to take a close look at our relationship with Jesus. 

+Is Jesus simply a great philosophy to follow or is Jesus MY Savior, MY Rock, and MY Friend? 

+Is Jesus just another great preacher or is Jesus MY Lord, MY Shield, and MY Strength?

+Is Jesus just one more charismatic leader or is Jesus MY Protector, MY Provider, MY Redeemer?

Out of my relationship with Jesus flows strength and courage.  The kind of strength and courage Jesus gives empowers a frightened and angry Joshua to lead the Israelite people into the Promised Land.

Out of an understanding of who Jesus really is flows strength and courage.  The kind of boldness and courage I need to step out and do something for Jesus grows deeper when I know Jesus is the Son of God and my Savior.

There are times when I hesitate to take a step in God’s direction.  I don’t greet the person who looks like they have not bathed in several weeks.  I don’t volunteer to help with a children’s ministry at the church when I am afraid they might ask me a question for which I have no answer.  I don’t ask my friend to share a cup of coffee because I am afraid they will think I am a religious nut.

So, I sit back and let life just happen to me.  I complain, I criticize, and I make lots of excuses.  My fear and anger reveal a need to give some attention to my relationship with Jesus.  Until I obey God’s command to be strong and courageous, I will settle for simply existing.  Until I obey God’s commandment to be strong and courageous, I will miss out on much of what Jesus wants to do in me and through me.

I invite you to make some time to engage in a careful and prayerful self-examination.  Here are a few questions to begin your examination.

+Where is fear getting in the way of taking a chance on another person?

+Where is anger getting in the way of drawing nearer to the heart of Jesus?

+Where is Jesus calling you to make a difference?

+What is getting in the way of responding to that call of Jesus?

I pray your self-examination will lead you deeper into your relationship with Jesus.  I also pray that where ever fear and anger are stealing away your courage and boldness that the Holy Spirit will work with you to flush away those feelings. 

You will become stronger and more courageous.  And, your heart will delight more and more in the goodness and grace of the Lord God.   

Take Delight In The Lord!

Doug