DAILY DEVOTIONAL: DAY 205
“And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted? let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren’s heart faint as well as his heart” (Deuteronomy 20:8, KJV).
Deuteronomy chapter 20 opens with instructions given to the Israelites about preparing for battle. On their way to occupy the Promised Land, the Israelites would encounter several nations and peoples. Some of these encounters would result in battles. The Lord wanted His people to be battle-ready and be able to overcome the nations which stood between them and the Land of Promise.
To win a battle, your attitude is as important as your weapons. You may have the right numbers and the right weapons, but if your mindset is flawed, you risk being defeated. Battles are won or lost starting with one’s state of mind. To win any battle, it is necessary that you first conquer your own fears. Therefore, when the Lord prepared Israel for battle, one of the first things He addressed was fear (cf. Deuteronomy 20:1-3).
Fear is contagious. It’s like an infection. If, for any reason, you’re afraid, be kind enough not to spread your fear. Fear undermines, not only your own faith, but the faith of the people around you. If you partner with people who panic easily, they can derail your faith and cause your plans to fall apart. Do not go on any important mission with people who are prone to fear. This word of wisdom is proposed in today’s Bible reading. Look at it again.
Before going into any battle, God commanded the officers of Israel to speak to the people about fear. The officers had to call on any fearful or fainthearted man to return to his house. Then, notice what the Bible says next: “Let him go and return to his house, lest his brethren’s heart faint as well as his heart.” It is better to go into battle with just two or three people who have faith than with a hundred people who are fainthearted. Recall the incident in Mark 5:35-42, where Jesus expelled a group of people for giving in to fear. If you are dealing with any battle (battle in your marriage, business, health, finances, academics, battle with an addiction, etc.) be careful who you call to fight with you.
To sum up today’s message, let’s remember the following: Fear is to faith what a leech is to blood. Faith does not fear, and fear does not believe. Don’t infect others with your fear. Conquer your fear, and go for the win.
For further study: Numbers 13:17-4:9, or Mark 5:35-42
Higher-Self Realities 