“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” 
—Joshua 1:9, NASB

Reflection 

Though we are to boldly declare our faith in Yeshua, the reality is that sometimes we find ourselves in fear rather than faith. Jesus said that hell was for the fearful and unbelieving. This Scripture may cause us concern, but Yeshua’s purpose in stating it is to help us understand that we must overcome fear. 

Notice also the connection between fear and unbelief, for one ultimately leads to the other. When we are afraid, we ultimately do not believe that God is with us. This is a serious sin, for when we fear, we are not expressing faith in God, and whatever is not from faith is sin. 

Faith is the bridge over which God comes to us, but fear is the bridge over which Satan gains entrance into our lives. If we replace the bridge of fear leading to satanic activity with the bridge of faith leading to God, we will experience God’s peace and love. Even as we access God by faith, we access darkness by fear. Faith in God leads to experiencing the reality of His presence and love. Fear, on the other hand, opens us up to be tormented by Satan and the realm of darkness. 

The writer of Hebrews said that without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. When we are afraid, we do not believe God is at work in our lives and present with us. This creates a general anxiety in our hearts that prevents us from moving on with God and from doing what He has asked us to do. 

But Paul speaks powerfully into our lives when he says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” There should be no fear in our lives when we are living in a close, personal relationship with God. 

More than a hundred times throughout the Scriptures, God commands us not to be afraid. It is important to note that it is a command, not an option for us to choose whether or not we are going to obey. God reminds us, Be strong and courageous. Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. 

There is no room for fear in our lives when we are obeying this direct command from our Heavenly Father. Fear is a spiritual sin that goes deeper than the sins of the flesh. It is not a sin because of what we are afraid of. It is a sin because we have replaced faith in God with faith in other things, believing they have more influence and power in our lives than God does. 

When we fear this or that, live in habitual anxiety or a state of dread, we are living by magnifying Satan in our hearts rather than God in His goodness. Trust and fear are opposed to each other. One cannot live in a state of fear and trust God. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. 

Application 

• When fear rises, recognize it as a call to return to faith and declare that the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. 

• Replace anxiety with prayer, supplication, thanksgiving, and trust in the Lord with all your heart. 

Prayer 

Father, I repent for agreeing with fear and magnifying darkness in my heart rather than trusting in Your goodness. Help me replace the bridge of fear with the bridge of faith. Teach me to believe that You are with me, that You are at work in my life, and that You reward those who seek You. Yeshua, deliver me from habitual anxiety and dread. Make me strong and courageous, and help me trust You with all my heart. Amen.