CALEB CUNNINGHAM: BE STRONG AND VERY COURAGEOUS

Be Strong and Very Courageous

Deuteronomy 31:6-8 – Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Then Moses called to Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous…The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

1. Israel’s Fear

This was a message that Joshua and Israel really needed to hear. They had known fear. This nation knew what it was like to be enslaved by the Egyptians, beaten by cruel task masters (Ex. 2:11). They must have been paralyzed with fear when Pharaoh ordered that the Egyptians murder the male Hebrew babies (Ex. 1:16). Though they had prayed to God for deliverance, the mere thought of leaving Egypt with a high hand made them recoil (Ex. 5:21).

Moses knew that it was hard for the humble slave of Egypt to become a brave warrior for God. When he led the Israelites out of Egypt, “God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, ‘the people might change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.” (Ex. 13:14). Can you just imagine that kind of fear? That kind of fear is seen in an animal that has been caged its whole life; and when its captors finally try to release it in the wild, the animal won’t come out of the cage. I recently watched on the Animal Planet a full grown leopard sit in an open cage for almost an hour because it was afraid to leave captivity. Finally, one of the park rangers unadvisedly began to poke it with a stick from the back of the cage (later that day he got many stitches in his face). Israel had the fear of a captive animal afraid of freedom, afraid of taking a risk for a better life, afraid of failure.

When Israel came to the Red Sea in front of them, the mountains on each side, and the Egyptians armies behind them, “they became very frightened; so the sons of Israel cried out to the Lord.” (Ex. 14:10). But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord…” (Ex. 14:13).

But old habits die hard. After the plagues on Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, the defeat of the Amalekites, the manna from heaven and water from Horeb, Israel still couldn’t get rid of the thoughts that lead to the feeling of fear. The trip of the spies into the Promised Land only confirmed the trepidation of the Israelites as they saw their enemies as giants and themselves as grasshoppers (grasshopper complex). So because of Israel’s fear, they were doomed to a life of mediocrity; no home, no milk and honey.

So when Joshua becomes the top ranking leader in Israel, it’s no wonder that he was given the repeated message:
“Be strong and courageous…” (1:6).
“Only be strong and very courageous…” (1:7).
“Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (1:9).

This is a message Joshua would need as he would lead this band of slaves turned nomads into the land of the Canaanites.

2. The World’s Fear

And the message to be strong and courageous, to not tremble or be dismayed, is needed by Christians today. It is easy to look back on the situation of the Israelites and accuse them of cowardice from the safety of our church buildings. But until you are in a life and death situation, then you don’t really know for sure what you will do.

During his years as premier of the Soviet Union, Nikita Khrushchev denounced many of the policies and atrocities of Joseph Stalin. Once, as he censured Stalin in a public meeting, Khrushchev was interrupted by a shout from a heckler in the audience. "You were one of Stalin's colleagues. Why didn't you stop him?" "Who said that?" roared Khrushchev. An agonizing silence followed as nobody in the room dared move a muscle. Then Khrushchev replied quietly, "Now you know why." Today in the Word, July 13, 1993. Fear is a tricky thing to tame. Courage comes and goes. Look at Peter, for example. One moment he is cutting of the ear of the temple police to defend Jesus, the next hour he is denying even knowing Jesus before a door maid. Fear can grips us quickly and hold tightly.

Ann Landers receives an average of ten thousand letters each month-nearly all of them from people with problems. She was asked if there was one predominant theme in the letters she receives. She said, "The one problem above all others seems to be fear. People are afraid of losing their health, their wealth, and their loved ones. People are afraid of life itself."

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 6.3 million American adults, ages 18 to 54, have some type of specific phobia. Any object or situation can become the focus of a phobia (Greek—phobos, for fear). Hydrophobia is fear of water. Nyctophobia is the fear of darkness. Acrophobia is fear of high places. Xenophobia is fear of strangers. Claustrophobia is fear of confined places. Agoraphobia is fear of open spaces. Ailurophobia—cats; cynophobia--dogs. Anthophobia—flowers. Anthropophobia—people. The lists of phobias are practically endless because the fears are endless.

One summer night during a severe thunderstorm a mother was tucking her small son into bed. She was about to turn the light off when he asked in a trembling voice, "Mommy, will you stay with me all night?" Smiling, the mother gave him a warm, reassuring hug and said tenderly, "I can't dear. I have to sleep in Daddy's room." A long silence followed. At last it was broken by a shaky voice saying, "The big sissy!"

News media plays off of our fears and tries to create new ones. This results in more viewers, more readers of their papers. I’ve noticed that some people seem to almost enjoy some bad news to worry about. It is almost as if they get a high. And every year we have a new summer story to worry about:
Shark attacks in the Gulf (2000), Terrorist attacks in America (2001), West Nile Virus and SARS (2003), War in Iraq (2004), Global Warming (2005), Nuclear program in Iran and North Korea (2006), Illegal Immigration (2007), Another Great Depression? (2008). What will be the summer story to scare us in 2009? Any predictions? Medical malpractice?

Advertisements cash in on old fears and invest in new fears:
Insurance: health, home, car, life, flood, fire, pet, renters, etc.
Buy gold b/c dollar is losing value!
TV producers will often use fear to attract viewers.

3. What is fear and Where does it come from?

A. Fear Defined.

In the English language we have at least ten words that express the thought and feeling of fear: dread, horror, fright, panic, alarm, trepidation, apprehension, afraid, worry.

But the word fear means, “a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, whether the threat is real or imagined.” (Webster’s American Family Dictionary)

B. Fear comes to us in many ways:

(1) Fear comes from doubt. Fear may even be the opposite of faith.
Matthew 28:29-31 - Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said* to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Notice that Jesus didn’t ask Peter, “Why were you afraid?” He equated Peter’s fear with doubt, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

(2) Fear comes from a lack of knowledge (fear of the unknown):
Isaiah 51:12-13 – I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you are afraid of man who dies and of the son of man who is made like grass, that you have forgotten the Lord your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, that you fear continually all day long because of the fury of the oppressor, as he makes ready to destroy? But where is the fury of the oppressor?

(3) Fear comes from the love of this present world and the desire to please man:

As seen in the previous passage, the Israelites were more afraid of their oppressors (Assyria), then they were God. Any time we fear anything or anyone more than we fear God, then that is a form of idolatry. Some people love this present world so much that they are in constant fear of death. Or if they’re not constantly living in fear of death, they paranoid about their health. And if they’re not paranoid about their health, they’re afraid they will lose their security or all their possessions.

Jesus said, “I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; you, I tell you, fear Him!” (Luke 12:4-5). Do not give man the glory and honor that belongs to God.

Have you ever thought about where fear comes from? I’ll tell you where fear does not come from. Fear does not come from God. Paul wrote by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7). Notice, God did not give us fear. Hence, fear comes to us as a result of sin. In fact, the first time we read of fear it was after Adam and Eve committed the first sin and hid themselves from God (Gen. 3:10).

4. Why not be afraid?

A. Fear is prohibited by God.

The words “do not fear” are found 57 times in the Bible; and “do not be afraid” is found 46 times (NASB).

Jesus said to the church as Smyrna in Revelation 2:10, “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested…” Sometimes the Lord calms the storm. Sometimes he lets the storm rage and calms his child.

B. Fear ruins productivity.

Example: Saul’s soldiers wouldn’t face the giant (1 Sam. 17:11).

Franklin D. Roosevelt said in his first Inaugural Address, March 4, 1933, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself, being afraid can so immobilize you that you can’t move to solve the very problems that are causing your fear.”

We find a biblical example of what FDR was speaking of in the one talent man buried his talent (Matt. 25:25).

C. Fear is contagious.

Hence, God does not use a fearful person:
Deuteronomy 20 contains God’s laws of warfare for the children of Israel. The chapter begins, “When you go out to battle against your enemies and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt, is with you.” (20:1). He continues 20:3, “Do not be fainthearted. Do not be afraid, or panic, or tremble before them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you, to fight for your against your enemies, to save you.” After giving these commands, God gives several reasons why a man may be discharged from serving in a battle: built new house, planted new vineyard, or engaged to a woman. But notice the last exemption from war that God gives, “Then the officers shall speak further to the people and say, ‘Who is the man that is afraid and fainthearted? Let him depart and return to his house, so that he might not make his brothers’ hearts melt like his heart.’” (20:8). Of course, this would be a dishonorable discharge.

Yet Israel witnessed this contagious fear first hand when the ten of the twelve spies sent to Canaan’s land came back with a grasshopper complex (Numbers 13-14).

The Midianites had made Israel’s life miserable for seven years. But God raised up a judge named Gideon to defeat the Midianites and deliver the people of God. As Gideon collected his army in Israel he said, “Whoever is afraid and trembling, let him return and depart from Mount Gilead. So 22,000 people returned, but 10,000 remained.” (Judges 7:3).

Robert Louis Stevenson wrote, “Keep your fears to yourself; share your courage with others.”

D. Satan uses our fears against us.

Job’s fear may have been his downfall. Satan asked the Lord, “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan had a good point, for when Job lost everything he had, he cries out, “For what I fear comes upon me, and what I dread befalls me.” (Job 3:25).

E. Fear is slavery

Hebrews 2:14-15 – Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.

Fear is slavery because it keeps us from doing what we wish we had the courage to do. How many times in your life has fear held you back? Has fear of man kept you from doing something? Fear of failure? Fear of rejection? Fear is the chain that keeps people enslaved.

F. Fear closes the doors to salvation

Revelation 21:8 – But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.

5. How can we overcome fear?

Of course, Courage does not mean the absence of fear: During World War II, a military governor met with General George Patton in Sicily. When he praised Patton highly for his courage and bravery, the general replied, "Sir, I am not a brave man. . . The truth is, I am an utter craven coward. I have never been within the sound of gunshot or in sight of battle in my whole life that I wasn't so scared that I had sweat in the palms of my hands." Years later, when Patton's autobiography was published, it contained this significant statement by the general: "I learned very early in my life never to take counsel of my fears."

A. Learn of God.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7).
Deuteronomy 17:19 - It shall be with him and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, by carefully observing all the words of this law and these statutes.

B. Trust in the Lord with all your heart.

If you believe that there is a God who is all powerful and all knowing, and if you believe he is a good God that loves you and has your best interest in mind, then you have nothing in the world to be afraid of:
Romans 8:28 - And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4). The rod/staff of the shepherd had many purposes. Most of the time it simply served as a walking stick, but it also served as a weapon. The shepherd would use his rod to protect his sheep from wild animals so that the rod of the shepherd was an instrument of safety for the sheep.

“Do not be afraid of sudden fear nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes; for the Lord will be your confidence…” (Proverbs 3:25-26).

C. Realize that God didn’t give you a spirit of fear, but the Spirit of the Lord.

The false prophets in Israel were crying “peace” as long as they had something to bite with their teeth (Micah 3:5). They were afraid to speak the truth because it might result in poverty for them. The prophet, Micah, however, wasn’t afraid of facing any circumstance or any person. He wrote of himself in contrast to the false prophets, “I am filled with power—with the Spirit of the Lord—and with justice and courage.” (Micah 3:8).

D. Live Righteously.

The prophet Isaiah lived in tumultuous times in Israel. The Northern Kingdom was a lost cause and the Southern Kingdom wasn’t much better. Assyria was about to conquer Israel and make Judah’s life miserable as well. But the prophet gave a message of courage to the faithful remnant of God:
Isaiah 54:14 – In righteousness you will be established; you will be far from oppression, for you will not fear; and from terror, for it will not come near you.

E. Love God.

According to 1 John 4, if you love God, then you will love one another (11), God will abide in us (12), His Spirit will be given to us (13), and we will have confidence toward the Day of Judgment (17).
1 John 4:18 – There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.

Conclusion

There are many things that cause us to be afraid, but the Lord comforts our every fear and tells to fear not. “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation.” (Isaiah 12:2).

The only fear that is acceptable, rather, commanded, is the fear of God:
Paul admonished believers to work out their salvation “with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12).
The early church grew in number as they lived “in the fear of the Lord” (Acts 9:31).
Fearing God and keeping His commandents are the two parts which make up “the whole duty of man” (Eccl. 12:13).