“Lectio Divina” is the Latin term for studying Scripture. I am challenging myself to a 31 day mission of study…and you, my faithful readers, get to accompany on this journey.

I plan to take a passage from the Bible that has been suggested to me on the subject of fear.

Let’s clear our minds and begin…

Deep breath in.

Deep breath out.

Day 1

Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you or forsake you.

To start, I must remind myself that this is Moses talking to the Israelites prior to their entry into the Promised Land after their 40 years of wandering.

They will also be entering it without him.

In verse 1 of this chapter, Moses announces to the people that God has clearly told him this news. Moses knows he needs to commission Joshua as the new leader of this nation so he is encouraging them all as they prepare to move forward.

For perspective~

Moses was the chosen leader by GOD.

Moses performed many incredible miracles in God’s name.

God spoke directly to and with Moses.

Moses was the first leader this Hebrew nation had had in a very long time.

The people were going to be moving into a new place without the incredible man of God who had led them this far.

They were facing an uncertain future in an unknown land without the leader they had grown accustomed to following and whom they trusted implicitly.

Let’s read the passage again…out loud this time:

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you or forsake you.

The words that stand out to me are do not be afraid or terrified because of them…God goes with you…He will never leave you.

I read once that an act of courage only occurs when that act is done in the face of fear.

Being strong and courageous means there needs to be a component of doing something when fear is present. Being brave is not doing something outside of fear…it is inside it.

That being said, God is acknowledging through this passage that there are things we fear. He knows that about us. Moses knew that as well.

#1 There is no shame in having fear or being afraid.

What we DO in the face of that fear is what He wants to address with us.

The words “of them” and “for He” are pretty powerful in this passage. There are many “them’s” to be afraid of aren’t there? It could be the unknown future, an illness we are facing, a hurt that is pending on the horizon, a past abuse…there is much that we could honestly confess “I am afraid” about.

What am I scared of? What brings me fear?

Something bad happening to my kids.

Failure.

Personal suffering through my illness.

Rejection or embarrassment.

Grief.

I am sure there is much more.

I am told…do not be afraid or terrified of THEM.

I am told, instead, to be strong and courageous in the face of what brings me fear.

HOW???

The Lord your God goes with you and will never leave you.

#2 The big question is: what does that MEAN for me for the Lord to be with me?

Do I trust Him?

Do I believe He is who He says He is?

If I say YES…can I be strong and courageous?

If I say YES…can I do what it is I need to do even though I am afraid?

Is my life reflecting that YES?

Am I serving the Lord amidst my fear or am I living in isolation?

Am I rejoicing IN the Lord or complaining?

Am I moving forward or am I chained to what could have been but is not what is?

Be strong and courageous for the Lord goes with you.

Lord,

Help me to be strong in my fear. Help me to find strength when I do not think I have enough. Help me to trust You to be with me in all ways, in all things, in all places. Help me to believe that in Your perfect love there is no fear.

Amen.