Soldiers must be brave if they are to face the battlefield. So, what does it really mean to be brave? Brave is defined as someone ready to face and endure danger or pain; showing courage; someone who is ready to endure or face (unpleasant conditions or behavior) without showing fear. The key to really understanding bravery is recognizing that bravery does not require one to be fearless – in fact, bravery cannot exist without fear. Instead, bravery is facing the danger/pain/struggles without allowing your fear to paralyze you. It is be ready and willing to endure pain and suffering without allowing your fear to control. Frank Herbert perfectly described fear and bravery in his book Dune, “Fear is the mind–killer. Fear is the little-death that brings obliteration. I will face my fear and I will permit it to pass over me and through me.”
After the death of Moses and as the children of Israel were preparing to finally take the Promised Land, the Lord encouraged Joshua and the children of Israel to be brave. Moses was gone and they were about to embark on their mission to take the Promised Land. The peoples there were mighty and strong. Remember, it was their fear 40 years ago that kept them from believing they could take the land in the first place. It was natural for the children of Israel to be afraid and nervous. So, God reminded them that He would always be with them and that no army could stand against them as long as they remained loyal to Him. God told them there was nothing to fear. He implored them to be strong and brave wherever they went because He was with them. He told them to take their courage and go into the land. He told them they to face their fears because as long as they remained true to Him – nothing would stand in their way.
Soldiers of Christ must be brave. God does not expect us to be fearless but He implores us – He commands us – to be courageous. He does not want our fears to paralyze us and make us doubt like they did the children of Israel on their first attempt to take the Promised Land. God understands we will have fears in this life but commands us to trust Him more than our fears. He wants us to face our fears with Him. When we do our fears will pass over and through us because with God nothing can stand against us. #SoldiersforChrist #TheLordIsMyBanner
Adonai's Appeal 