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Welcome to part two of the "Be Fearless" series! In part one we talked about how great God is. Today, we're going to explore that a little bit more and see a demonstration of how that applies to your heart.
Let me take you on an extreme adventure! Use your greatest imagination! Check out this story in 1 Samuel 17.
It's another regular day. Your brothers are away from home preparing to fight a battle with an opposing army called the Philistines. You hear murmurings that if your army, the Israelites, lose the battle your whole nation will be subject to slavery...but if you win, the Philistines will be under your nation's guidance. One night, your father pulls you aside and says, "Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren; And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge." (1 Samuel 17:17b-18) So, you get a good nights rest to prepare yourself for the journey ahead.
The next morning, you arise early. As you approach the trench you see both armies with their glistening armour against the sun. You hear the shouting. As your carriage pulls up close, you hand the reins to the keeper of the carriage and run to your brothers to salute them. You ask your brothers how the battle is faring, if they have been eating well, and why they haven't attempted to fight against the Philistines. As you talk a broad, tall, intimidating champion of the Philistines calls out, challenging a member of the Israelite army to fight him. You hear every word he says to taunt you.
All of a sudden the men around you start running every which way, looking with fear on their faces. The words this giant utters are completely insulting to the God who you serve. How dare he mock the God of the Israelites! So you march right on up to the king and tell him that you will fight the warrior. The king smirks, trying not to laugh and tells you that your enemy has been trained to fight since he was young. But you, well you're just a boy who doesn't have any training. (Side note: Wouldn't that just crush you?)
You retort back, "I am responsible and strong. I've stopped multiple beasts from attacking the flock of sheep that I watch for my father. This Philistine shall be nothing compared to those animals, for he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord will protect me just as He delivered me from the beasts, so shall he deliver me from the hands of this Philistine."
The king stands speechless before you. Surely, this giant is not too much for God to kill. The king says "Go, and the LORD be with thee." (1 Samuel 17:37b)
Since you're a shepherd, you do not have the right form for a full suit of armour. So all you take is your shepherd's bag, a staff, sling and five smooth stones. You start walking towards the Philistine. The closer you get, the larger he becomes. Pretty soon he towers over you until you must crank your neck towards the sky. The giant starts talking down to you... "Why would such a young, small man who's still healthy, and calm come to meet me?" The giant starts cursing you and saying how your body will be given to the fowl and the beasts.
This battle seems so utterly helpless to the onlookers. What in the world are you thinking? But then, you remember what brought you to this point and why you're even out in the field. God was the one who brought you to it! And He will bring you through it!
"Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; ...that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give you into our hands. And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew night to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead, and he fell upon his face to the earth." (1 Samuel 17:45, 46b, 47-49)
...Welcome back from imagination land! That seemed like a pretty crazy story didn't it?!?!?! Honestly, it pumps me up! Here we are on this place called earth, and us tiny little humans forget that the God who was, is the God who is. What battle is too big for the Lord? What trial is too terrible? What hunger cannot be filled? What want can He not provide for?
"Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body more than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit to his stature?" (Matthew 6:26-28)
Where has our faith gone? Doesn't it sound like the God of the Israelites has it ALL under control? Doesn't it sound like we have nothing to worry about? God provides ALL our needs. He guides us with His Spirit. He fills us with hope and bravery!
So today, I'm here to remind you that absolutely NOTHING is too big for God!!!!!! Do not fear the giants in your life! Whether it's pride, slothfulness, hate, pornography, malice, lying, lust, corrupt language, the list goes on. God is greater than ALL those things! So do not fear walking towards those sins and knocking them down under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, for He is strong enough to cause the blind to see. He can certainly knock down whatever giant you're looking at.
That's all for today! Praying for you and blessing you in the name of Jesus Christ our King. Below is a worship song that is so encouraging when you're battling fear. Our God is the Ancient of Days!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJUtAw21qAM
Part 3 is coming soon!!!! Look out for it! Kaela and I would love to hear the struggles you face today and how we can best encourage you. Remember, we are not in this battle alone. God gave us each other to walk together in Him. Follow us on Instagram (@thejoysblog) or email us (thejoysblog@gmail.com) to keep connected daily and get updates on our latest posts. Blessings!