Remember where courage comes from? Integrity. If you obey God, you will have courage. If you disobey, you will be afraid.
After Israel defeated Jericho, the men marched against the kingdom of Ai. But the men of Ai overpowered them, killed 36 of them and chased them away. “As a result, the people’s hearts melted and became like water” Joshua 7:5. Suddenly, the Israelites were terrified and cried out to God. God told Joshua the people had sinned.
“They have stolen and deceived, therefore the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies” Joshua 7:12.
Someone had kept plunder from Jericho, when God had told them that everything was set apart for destruction—the Israelites were not to touch it. God revealed the man who did it, and he confessed:
“It is true. I have sinned against the Lord. This is what I did: When I saw among the spoils a beautiful cloak from Babylon, 200 silver shekels, and a bar of gold weighing 50 shekels, I coveted them and took them… they are hidden in my tent under the cloak” Joshua 7:20-21.
Joshua sent men to the tent, and it was true. As punishment, God told the nation to stone to death Achan, his entire family, and his animals—a severe punishment, which would cause the nation to fear and respect God’s laws and God’s holiness. Then God “relented from His burning anger,” and Israel once again went to battle with courage.
Are you fearful? Find the sin in your life and destroy it.
Do you need courage? Obey God.
Joshua 7:12 (above) makes it clear: when you disobey God, your heart melts with fear. It is harder to face the day. But if you obey Him, He will give you the courage to face your enemies and your challenges.
Talk to God about your sins and fears. Ask Him to make you holy, to bless you with a deeper fear of God and a deep desire to do right. Ask Him to fill you with the holiness that comes from obedience.
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