“Let not your heart be troubled…” “Fear not little flock…” “Do not be anxious…” Jesus told his disciples over and over not to be afraid. The one chosen to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land was given the same instruction: “Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged…” (Joshua 1:9) Stated positively: “Be strong and courageous…” (Joshua 1:6) “Be strong and very courageous…” (Joshua 1:7) “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.” (Joshua 1:9)
We come to God weak, weary, broken, and in great need. But God saves us, heals us, changes us, places us in his Son and calls us righteous. With gratitude we say, “Lord, where you lead, I will follow,” but then the enemies that paralyze (anxiety, worry, fear) bombard us without mercy. But God has created us to be ‘more than conquerors’ so He says, “Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid.”
My youngest brother Brian lives in Zambia, a country one of his heroes, David Livingstone, explored in the 1800′s. It is funny to me that our dad Rex and Brian’s youngest son Bryson both share David Livingstone’s birthday, March 19. I am sure Livingstone had his faults, but he seemed to heed the word ‘fear not’ better than most as he explored the southern part of Africa, declaring the Gospel of Christ to numerous tribes and tongues. His journal recounts many narrow escapes. He was charged by a water buffalo, he was charged by a rhino, and he was attacked by a lion. The lion maimed his left arm for life, but he survived. On more than one occasion, he found himself surrounded by fierce warriors, but Livingstone always seemed to find a path to peaceful dialogue. He always shared the saving message of Jesus Christ. Perhaps the most dangerous enemy this missionary faced was the deadly “river fever” we now call malaria. After he died at age 60, two loyal African companions buried his heart in Africa then carried his body to the coast – an eight month journey that covered over 1000 miles. Livingstone’s body was shipped to England in 1874 where he was buried in Westminster Abbey.
So how do we heed the call to live courageously in our day? First, be careful not to judge or criticize others in their efforts to defeat fear. If you’ve never been charged by a water buffalo, you probably don’t know how you’ll react. If you’ve never stood at the brink of financial ruin, you probably don’t realize the gut-wrenching feelings that overwhelm. If you’ve never encountered a life-threatening disease, you probably don’t understand the emotions that are sure to surface. Only God’s grace allows us to overcome and his powerful Word encourages us.
Accompanying the command to be courageous, Joshua was told to firmly hold to the written Word of God. “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” (Joshua 1:8) “Thy Word is a Lamp unto my feet, and a Light unto my path,” the Psalmist wrote. When available, David Livingstone took quinine or other concoctions to combat river fever. Often, though, he had no medicine save the one he found in Proverbs 17:22: “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” No matter how bad he felt, he tried to keep going with as positive an attitude as possible. Over a period of thirty-two years in Africa, without car or plane, he traveled nearly 40,000 miles.
Also accompanying the command to be courageous was a great promise: “Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9) I’m convinced this is what gave Joshua the courage to be ‘more than a conqueror.’ “I am not alone. He is with me!” Isn’t this the promise Jesus gives us? He does not say, “Don’t be afraid… and by the way, you’re on your own.” He says, “I’m not leaving you alone. You do not need to worry or fear because I am with you! Believe this and live with great courage and strength!”
“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33