Deuteronomy 20:1; NASB When you go out to battle against your enemies and see horses, 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. Over the past few years my wife and I have gone out and participated in obstacle course races. If you don’t know what that is, you can do a quick search on the internet for “Spartan Race” or “Tough Mudder.” In these races, there are some fun obstacles, and some crazy ones. There are some you look at and think, “Oh, that will be fun.” Other ones I look at and think, “Why am I even out here? There’s no way I can do that!” In essence, I am defeated before the race even starts. I’ve forgotten about all the training I’ve done and the hard work I’ve put in to get ready, and I just get overwhelmed by the enormity of the circumstances and obstacles before me. In Deuteronomy 20, as Moses is giving final instructions, he has a chapter dedicated to war, and how Israel ought to act when caught in a wartime situation. Basically, the whole chapter is about making sure there is no unnecessary loss of life, limiting how many might die during war (notes from ESV Study Bible regarding this section). The first command given when it comes to war is this: don’t get overwhelmed and afraid of the armies or the size of armies that are before you. Don’t be afraid. God is with you. Let me tell you what I read in this passage. This is the BKV, the Brian Kammer Version: Israel, you are going to have times when you go to war. Not if….when. And know this, you will face other armies that are way larger than you are. You’re going to be tempted to be afraid. No, scratch that, you are going to be afraid. You are going to think it is impossible. You are going to believe death and defeat lay before you. Don’t believe it. Don’t give in to that thinking. Why? Because the God who rescued you from slavery to Egypt (which, by the way, you never thought you would get out of), and in the the process of that deliverance this same God completely defeated and destroyed the entire army of the Egyptians. This God….He is with you. If anyone should be afraid, it should be the other armies because the God of all gods and King of all kings fights for you, protects you, and defends you! Yeah, I know what you’re thinking right now. You’re glad for the regular versions of the Bible because they are a lot shorter. Me too. But make sure you see what God is telling His people. “‘I’ve got this,” God says, “and I’ve got you. Don’t worry and don’t be afraid.” Before any instructions on how to conduct themselves during war, Moses starts out with the most important thing: keep your eyes, heart, and mind focused on God. Don’t get overwhelmed by the obstacles that lay before you. God is much, much superior and greater than them. What obstacles do you see in life right now? What are things that maybe, just maybe bring about some fear? What is taking the place of confidence in God? Certainly you are not in a time of war right now, physically. But maybe you are going through an emotional war. Or a mental war, financial war, or maybe even a relational war. Can I tell you what Moses would tell you? (Of course I can, I’m the one writing the devotional) Don’t be afraid of those things! But you don’t know how long I’ve been fighting these things! You don’t know how insurmountable they are! You don’t know how many odds are stacked against me! You’re right….I don’t know. But I do know a God who is with us and fights for us. Let me be a little vulnerable with you. Everyday I wake up a little fearful about being a leader/pastor. Everyday I have doubts. Everyday I hear the voices that tell me I’m not good enough, that I don’t really matter, that there are better pastors out there. Every morning I battle with the thought that the church would be so much better with me out of the picture. It is taxing and tiring to face the same arguments everyday. And some days, I am overcome by the thoughts. I give in, I’m afraid. I want to crawl up into a ball and cower into a corner to hide from it all. But that is not what God has called me to do. And that is not how God has equipped me to face these fears. Time and time again I have seen God remind me of His presence during these times of doubt. So many times I have seen God fight for me and remind me, whether through the kind words of a friend, or through some action/result, that I am right where God wants me. And as I am right where God wants me, He is right there with me. Don’t get me wrong. Times of war are times of war. It is hard. You will have to fight. But fight for the right things. Above all, fight to, as the author of Hebrews so eloquently states it, let us continue to “look to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.” I know some of you are facing the worst things in life right now. The odds seemed stacked against you. The obstacles seem overwhelming and insurmountable. But before you give in, remember the charge Moses gave to Israel which is still so relevant to us today: do not be afraid of them; for the Lord your God is with you. -Pastor Brian
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