Overcoming Fear Through Faith and Obedience

Fear is a universal experience—whether it’s anxiety, worry, or doubt, it touches every life. Yet, God is not looking for perfect, fearless people; He seeks those with willing and obedient hearts. Like Joshua before Jericho, we all face battles that seem insurmountable, and our first instinct is often to focus on our own inadequacies or past failures. But God’s call is not to dwell in the land of fear. Instead, He invites us to trust Him as the perfect General who knows every detail of the battlefield and never makes mistakes.

Fear can serve a purpose, keeping us from foolish decisions, but when it holds us back from God’s calling, it robs us of the victories He has prepared. The story of Joshua reminds us that the battle is not ours alone. God works behind the scenes, softening the hearts of our enemies and preparing the way for us, often in ways we cannot see or understand. The walls of Jericho were not just physically impenetrable; they represented the impossible situations we all face. Yet, God’s instructions—though they may seem perplexing or even nonsensical—are always purposeful. Obedience, not our own strength or understanding, is what brings down the walls.

Our past mistakes and the enemy’s accusations can echo loudly, but God’s love and calling are not based on our performance. We are His, bought with a price, and our identity is rooted in His promises, not our failures. When we persistently seek Him, even in desperation, He delights to show Himself strong on our behalf. The victories He brings are not just for our benefit but to display His power and faithfulness to the world.

Every challenge that stirs fear is an opportunity to see God’s power revealed through our trust in Him. The question is not whether fear will come, but whether we will let it define us or drive us to deeper faith. God’s track record is perfect—He has done the impossible before, and He will do it again. The invitation is to step forward in faith, obey His voice, and watch as He does what only He can do.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God Uses Willing, Imperfect People God is not searching for those who have it all together or who never feel fear. He uses broken vessels—people who are willing to obey even when they feel inadequate or anxious. Over time, He shapes us into the instruments He desires, but the starting point is always a surrendered, obedient heart. [00:23]
• 2. Fear Is Not Our Native Land As followers of Christ, fear is not where we belong or where we are meant to dwell. Though fear will come, it is not our home; our true identity is found in faith and trust in God’s promises. When we remember that we are God’s people, living in His land, we can face even the most daunting challenges with confidence in His sovereignty. [05:31]
• 3. God Fights Behind the Scenes Much of God’s work on our behalf is invisible to us. He prepares the way, influences circumstances, and even causes our adversaries to lose heart before the battle begins. Our role is not to figure out every detail, but to trust that God is working for us, even when we cannot see it. [23:39]
• 4. Obedience Unlocks the Impossible The walls of Jericho fell not because of Israel’s might, but because they obeyed God’s unusual instructions. Often, God’s ways seem perplexing or counterintuitive, but when we step out in faith and do what He says, He brings about results that are beyond our imagination. Obedience is the key that unlocks God’s miraculous intervention. [29:59]
• 5. Every Fearful Challenge Is an Opportunity Every situation that provokes fear is an invitation to experience God’s power and deepen our faith. Opportunities only become reality when we act on them; trusting God in the face of fear allows us to see His faithfulness firsthand. Rather than being surprised by God’s deliverance, we can learn to expect and celebrate it as we walk in trust. [39:06]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:23] - God Uses Broken Vessels
• [00:42] - Anxiety and God’s Control
• [01:22] - The Nature of Worry
• [01:41] - Facing Fear Honestly
• [02:25] - Faith Over Fear: Joshua’s Encounter
• [03:25] - The Commander of the Lord’s Army
• [04:28] - Trusting the General, Not the Fear
• [05:31] - Fear Is Not Your Native Land
• [06:38] - Personal Story: Fear and Doubt
• [10:24] - The Walls of Jericho: Facing the Impossible
• [11:36] - The Enemy’s Accusations and Our Past
• [13:10] - God’s Love Despite Our Failures
• [15:06] - Learning to Trust God Over Self
• [17:29] - The Battlefields We Face
• [19:47] - Lifting Our Eyes in Prayer
• [23:39] - God Fights Behind the Scenes
• [27:16] - The Battle Belongs to God
• [29:59] - Obedience and the Fall of Jericho
• [34:03] - The Miracle of the Flat Wall
• [35:55] - God Fights for Us: The Curse on Jericho
• [38:41] - God Establishes and Opens Doors
• [39:06] - Every Fearful Challenge Is an Opportunity
• [41:25] - Will You Trust Him?
• [41:45] - Closing Prayer

Bible Reading

Joshua 5:13–15 (ESV) — > 13 When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?”
> 14 And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?”
> 15 And the commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

Joshua 6:1–5, 20 (ESV) — > 1 Now Jericho was shut up inside and outside because of the people of Israel. None went out, and none came in.
> 2 And the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor.
> 3 You shall march around the city, all the men of war going around the city once. Thus shall you do for six days.
> 4 Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets.
> 5 And when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, as soon as you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up, everyone straight before him.”
> ...
> 20 So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city.

Romans 5:8 (ESV) — > But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Observation Questions

1. In Joshua 5:13–15, how does Joshua respond when he realizes he is speaking to the commander of the Lord’s army? What does this show about his attitude?
2. According to Joshua 6:1–5, what specific instructions did God give Joshua and the Israelites for taking Jericho?
3. What was the result when the Israelites obeyed God’s instructions at Jericho? (Joshua 6:20)
4. According to the sermon, what does the phrase “fear is not your native land” mean for followers of Christ? [05:31]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God gave such unusual instructions for conquering Jericho instead of using normal military tactics? What might this teach us about God’s ways? [29:59]
2. The sermon says that God uses “broken vessels”—people who feel inadequate or anxious. Why do you think God chooses to work through imperfect people instead of those who seem strong and fearless? [00:23]
3. The pastor mentioned that God works “behind the scenes,” softening the hearts of enemies and preparing the way. How does this change the way we view our own challenges and fears? [23:39]
4. Romans 5:8 says God loved us “while we were still sinners.” How does this truth help us when we feel accused by our past or unworthy of God’s help? [13:10]

Application Questions

1. The sermon says that fear can keep us from stepping into what God has for us. Can you think of a time when fear held you back from obeying God or taking a step of faith? What was the outcome? [02:02]
2. Joshua had to trust God’s plan even when it didn’t make sense. Is there an area in your life right now where God is asking you to obey, but it feels confusing or risky? What would it look like to take a step of obedience this week? [29:59]
3. The pastor shared that God’s love and calling are not based on our performance or past mistakes. Are there any past failures or accusations that still echo in your mind and make it hard to trust God? How can you remind yourself of your true identity in Christ? [13:10]
4. The sermon says that every fearful challenge is an opportunity to see God’s power. What is one current challenge that stirs up fear in you? How could you invite God into that situation and trust Him to work? [39:06]
5. The Israelites had to persistently follow God’s instructions, even when nothing seemed to be happening. Is there something you need to keep doing in faith, even though you haven’t seen results yet? How can the group support you in this? [21:40]
6. The pastor mentioned that he is learning to expect God’s deliverance instead of being surprised by it. How can you shift your mindset from surprise to expectation when God answers prayers or works in your life? [40:45]
7. The closing challenge was, “Will you trust Him?” What is one practical way you can choose to trust God instead of yourself this week, especially in an area where you feel afraid or uncertain? [41:25]