To fear or not to fear?

     We have come to the conquest of the Promised Land in chapter 7 of The Story.  We hit the highlights of the conquest, starting with Jericho, the story of Rahab, and how God provided victory for the Israelites after 7 days of marching around the city.  We then have the battle with Ai, and the subsequent defeat of 5 kings.  These stories of battle include seemingly impossible victories for the underdog, unlikely allies, and most of all, evidence of God's faithfulness to Israel through fulfilling a centuries-old promise. 
    It is good to note that societies at that time were mostly theocracy, where the god of the people ruled and militaristic strength and victories proved that one nation's god was better than another.  By winning so many impossible battles, and by going in to the Promised Land as a fulfillment of God's promise, the Israelites were making a statement to the world: our God is supreme.  To make God's power even more tangible, the author of Joshua even includes a couple of verses about the sun stopping in the sky, for about a day, it says.  "There has been no day like it before or since, when the Lord heeded a human voice; for the Lord fought for Israel."
     But even more than the military victories that Israel celebrated as they entered and conquered the Promised Land, this story is about trust in God and God's promises.
     Each time the Israelites come up on an obstacle, whether it is a wall or a great and mighty army or a river, God provided and they came out ahead.  Several times in Joshua the Lord tells the Israelites

Be strong and courageous.  Do not be discouraged.  For the Lord is with you wherever you go.

     Now while I can't relate to military battles, other than hearing of them in the news, I can relate to strength and courage (or the lack thereof!).  I often find myself facing my own giants, whether real or perceived.  Often times the giants come from within, in the form of self doubt, criticism, and fear, as I think about my job performance, my parenting skills, or my role as wife.  Other times there seems a task too big to complete or something that is impossible to do.  Still other times it seems like I face something in the future that is unknown and scary.
     No matter the giant, these words for the Israelites are for me and for you.  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be discouraged.  For the Lord is with you wherever you go.

    I found this lovely acrostic for Fear at Avies Place, and thought it quite fitting.  We can be the latter since we know God is with us.