The Paralysis of Fear: Joshua

There is a running sub-theme throughout Joshua and that sub-them is 'Do not fear...' God on numerous occasions tells Joshua and Israel to 'not fear'. I would say (off the top of my head) that in each case it is in the context of moving forward. Whether the moving forward would be leaving the Wilderness and crossing over into the land or going into battle against large and enormous armies.

God told them not to fear because the human tendency is to fear those things we cannot humanly defeat or accomplish on our own. However, God knows the promises that He has made and wants His children to trust Him and move forward to the Destination that He has promised them. No matter what they face, they can be strong and courageous for the Lord is with them and will fight for them.

You could say that humanly speaking that everyday and every battle for Israel was a risk that they took. It was like the 'leap of faith' in the Indiana Jones movie in the 80's. All Israel had was the Promises of God and the Word of God that He would be with them and fight for them. So every time they step out on the battle field they risked their life.

I really believe that I am at a juncture in my life where God is telling me to not fear. I am overwhelmed with ministry, mission, lack of people, lack of money and resources, lack of staff, and reaching for the future. Leading people is not easy. Leading a church is really not easy. Moving people forward to accomplish a dream and vision is extremely difficult. Because people get comfortable, set on their own directions and presuppositions, and when we talk about moving forward, fear grips the heart and paralyzes the faith of God's people.

Joshua led the Children of Israel to...

1) Act in Radical Faith (Move Forward)

2) Actively Participate in the Promises of God (they fought and conquered and inhabited the land)

3) Partially Accomplish God's Plan for them (they did not overtake all the land- they stopped)

Will God's church act radically in faith? Will we be willing to move forward even when it makes no sense humanly? Will we take risks in our own personally life? Will we take risk as a church body? Will we leave comfort, convenience, familiarity, presuppositions, and mediocrity behind?

My prayer is that all would make the journey and possess radical faith and active participation, but I know that is wishful thinking. Heck, 2 1/2 tribes stayed on the East side of the Jordan because of comfort, convenience, and mediocrity.

My prayer for me, individual believers, and the church body is that we would not be paralyzed by fear, but that we would be strong and courageous and that we would move forward, fight hard, and conquer the areas of our life and community God would have us to. God grant us the courage to move forward in our life today, in whatever area that might be in. Give us the strength through the Holy Spirt to move in faith and fight in the power of the Holy Spirit. I pray that you would work through us to accomplish that which You want to accomplish. Let us not settle for mediocrity or the mundane. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your plan!