Daily EncouragementSample

There is a recognition of human weakness here, and perhaps a certain measure of sympathy with it. One wonders how many would have actually stepped forward in answer to this appeal and gone home, particularly as it would have been prefaced by the stirring exhortation, “Do not be faint-hearted or afraid . . . For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you . . . to give you victory” (Deut. 20:3-4).

The chief concern expressed here has to do with the devastating effect of the fearful and the faint-hearted upon others. A classic example of this is the report of the majority of the twelve men sent “to spy out the land.” Those who listened to the report of the faint-hearted became disheartened too: ‘’Where can we go? Our brothers have made us lose heart. They say, ‘The people are stronger and taller than we are; the cities are large, with walls up to the sky’” (Deut. 1:28). The people of God need to face the facts, but those same facts can have a widely varying impact, depending on whether the people get them from the faint-hearted or from the courageous.

No wonder “Fear not” is so frequent a command in Scripture and leaders in particular are exhorted to be “strong and courageous.” (Josh. 1:9).