“Let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, Deuteronomy 20:3
Suggested Scripture reading Deuteronomy 20
The bills had piled high that week. The single mom hated to see the mail truck stop at her house. It meant that he was making his daily delivery of demands for money. Fear was a real member of that family. He sat at the dinner table at supper and was present in the living room all evening. Fear was a real presence in her mind most of the time.
Sunday, the Lord’s day,, came and off to church the little family went to worship and fellowship. At church a strange thing happened as she prayed and worshiped. The peace of God entered her heart. As God’s man preached the Word of God there came to her heart a peace and she found the strength to face the fear.
As Moses prepared the Israelites to carry on after he passed off the scene, he knew that when they faced fear they would need encouragement from the men of God who led them spiritually. In Deuteronomy 20 the people learned that the strength to face their battles would come from the encouragement they found in faith and worship.
And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people, And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them; For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.
They did not need to fear their enemy because the Lord would fight the battle for them.
When the young mom arrived home after church that day the bills were still waiting to be paid. Fear, however, was gone. He could not abide in the same house as such faith. The challenges remained but the peace of God replaced the fear. “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7) That peace came when God’s man preached the promises of God. The words of that friend, the pastor, helped her find the peace of God. She knew all would be well
because she would . . .
Fear not . . . for the Lord your God is he that goeth with you.
[podcast]https://lifeabovefear.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Words-of-Encouragement-Life-Above-Fear.mp3[/podcast]
