People seem to be worrying about so many things: the credit crunch, job losses, house prices, stabbings, gang culture…so many things!
There is actually a list of things people can have fears and worries about:
1. Fear of failure
2. Fear of rejection
3. Fear of public speaking
4. Fear of criticism
5. Fear of what others think
6. Fear of being alone
7. Fear of financial collapse
8. Fear of failing health
9. Fear of success
10. Fear of death
The Presence of God gives us courage. Courage is not having no fear, it is moving ahead in spite of your fear, knowing God is with you.
The Ark, the Presence of God, was with the people at the fall of Jericho.
“So Joshua son of Nun called the priests and said to them, "Take up the ark of the covenant of the LORD and have seven priests carry trumpets in front of it." And he ordered the people, "Advance! March around the city, with the armed guard going ahead of the ark of the LORD."
When Joshua had spoken to the people, the seven priests carrying the seven trumpets before the LORD went forward, blowing their trumpets, and the ark of the LORD's covenant followed them. The armed guard marched ahead of the priests who blew the trumpets, and the rear guard followed the ark. All this time the trumpets were sounding. But Joshua had commanded the people, "Do not give a war cry, do not raise your voices, do not say a word until the day I tell you to shout. Then shout!" So he had the ark of the LORD carried around the city, circling it once. Then the people returned to camp and spent the night there.
Joshua got up early the next morning and the priests took up the ark of the LORD. The seven priests carrying the seven trumpets went forward, marching before the ark of the LORD and blowing the trumpets. The armed men went ahead of them and the rear guard followed the ark of the LORD, while the trumpets kept sounding. So on the second day they marched around the city once and returned to the camp. They did this for six days.” Joshua 6: 6 - 14
It took courage for Israel to do this; Israel was wide open to attack during this time, and it would have been easy for the people of Jericho to attack them from the high position of the walls. With the Ark with them – the Presence of God – they had courage.
What are you fearful of, what do you worry about? When we have the Presence of God in our lives we can have supernatural courage.
This courage is not just for us but others, those God wants us to support, encourage and cheer on.
Billy Graham said: "Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened." This is part of our witness.
So as 2010 approaches maybe you need to make a change: take whatever you are worried about, give it to God and draw close to Him - as you do this you will become strong and courageous. If you don't need to make this change - you're there - then look to those who God wants you to support, encourage and cheer on.
