Scripture:
Deuteronomy 1:41-44 ESV
[41] “Then you answered me, ‘We have sinned against the Lord. We ourselves will go up and fight, just as the Lord our God commanded us.’ And every one of you fastened on his weapons of war and thought it easy to go up into the hill country. [42] And the Lord said to me, ‘Say to them, Do not go up or fight, for I am not in your midst, lest you be defeated before your enemies.’ [43] So I spoke to you, and you would not listen, but you rebelled against the command of the Lord and presumptuously went up into the hill country. [44] Then the Amorites who lived in that hill country came out against you and chased you as bees do and beat you down in Seir as far as Hormah.
Observation:
The first part of Deuteronomy is a recap of what has happened already. So let’s look at what is going on Moses is reminding the Israelites of how things have gone up to this point. Telling them how their fear kept them from walking into the land GOD had promised them. Once the people had realized they had sinned they changed their mind and wanted to go into the land flowing with milk and honey. By that time GOD had already made up HIS mind. HE gave HIS people a sharp warning don’t go. Things won’t end well. You see GOD knew the limitations that fear puts on HIS people. GOD is fearless. That’s how HE knew HE was not in the midst of HIS people. The results of the fear became really clear after they were told to turn back and go back to the wilderness. They were defeated by the Amorites and chased away like people running from a swarm of bees
Application:
We can not fight for victory. That has already been given to us. So honestly we have to fight from victory. You see if we know that GOD is with us there is really no reason to fear. Fear does not come from GOD. Wisdom yes fear no. So let me tell you how fear has caused problems in my life. It has kept me from stepping into a calling that I know GOD has placed on me. It tells me I can’t when HE says I can fear says stop when GO says go make disciples. It tells me I will lose when GOD has given me victory. I have to say it GOD does not give us fear the spirit of fear comes from the enemy. That’s because he knows he has already lost. He knows his outcome and he desires to keep you from walking out the salvation that GOD has promised you…don’t let him keep you from the promised land. You see fear keeps you trapped in your thoughts and will do one of two things. It will paralyze you or motivate you in the wrong direction. I have lived through some very horrible things. That only happened in my head. GOD is looking for men and women who will press on in the face of fear who will push past it knowing that HE did not bring you this far to leave you. Do you honestly think HE brought you to the edge of the sea to allow the Egyptians to run you through with a sword? That’s not the GOD I serve. You can stand in the face of a giant with a few rocks. HE will be with you in the fire. HE has prepared a place for you at the table of people who might consider you an enemy. You are a Warrior so open the curtains and pray, let the world see the light that HE has placed in you.
Prayer:
Father, we know that you are with us. You are preparing us for the fight. However, you have already won. We only have to show up in the armor you have given us. If you are for us then no one no giant no army no situation is too much. We stand and look at the opposition and say you might be a match for me but you are no match for my GOD and HE is with me. We pray that we can see fear for what it is a tactic of the enemy to keep us from what you have called us to. We want to press on for the upward call. You have given us victory over sin. Let us grab hold of it. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.