Trusting God’s Promises Over Fear of Circumstances

The command given to Joshua in Joshua 1:6-9 to be strong and courageous is fundamentally rooted in trusting God rather than succumbing to fear of external circumstances. The fear of the day—whether political upheaval, societal chaos, or economic instability—is a natural human response, but it is not the response God desires from His people. Instead, believers are called to fear the Lord, which means revering Him, trusting His promises, and aligning their perspective with His heavenly viewpoint [45:16].

Joshua was commanded to be strong and courageous not because the challenges ahead were easy or free of obstacles, but because God's presence and promises were sure [45:42]. This divine assurance provides the foundation for courage, enabling believers to face daunting circumstances with confidence.

The example of Caleb illustrates this principle vividly. Caleb, described as having a "different spirit," refused to be swayed by fear of the giants or the intimidating reports of the other spies. His trust was firmly placed in God's promise that the land was theirs and that God would give it to them if they remained faithful [23:56]. Caleb’s attitude was rooted in reverence for God's word rather than fear of obstacles, demonstrating the importance of fearing the Lord over fearing the day.

In contemporary contexts, believers are urged to adopt Caleb’s spirit amid societal challenges. Fear-mongering media, political deception, and societal chaos can paralyze faith and cause doubt in God's promises. Instead, Christians are called to keep their eyes on God's prophetic word, trust in His promises, and stand firm—knowing that the Lord is with them wherever they go [46:14]. Maintaining a heavenly perspective enables believers to see beyond immediate chaos and trust that God's plan is unfolding, even when circumstances appear daunting.

The key to victory and the fulfillment of God's promises—whether in personal life, church, or nation—is to fear the Lord, stay strong, and be courageous. This involves unwavering faith, resisting control by fear, and trusting that God's presence will lead through storms into rest and victory [48:19]. The biblical command to be strong and courageous is thus a call to trust in God's sovereignty and promises rather than being overwhelmed by fear of the day.

Prioritizing the fear of the Lord over fear of circumstances empowers believers to adopt Caleb’s spirit—trusting God's promises, maintaining a heavenly perspective, and standing firm in faith—so that societal and political challenges do not shake their confidence but instead propel them into victory and rest.

This article was written by an AI tool for churches, based on a sermon from Hank and Brenda Kunneman, one of 52 churches in Omaha, NE