Jeshurun's Mind: Spiritual Food

God Works With Warriors And Not Cowards

 

Fear Binds

Fear disables and cripples. It sits on people’s potential and completely blinds their vision. As a result, they never get to discover the unlimited abilities in their lives and therefore, they do not make use of them. As a corollary to this, they often find themselves leading unfulfilling, mediocre lives.

Today, multitudes of people are bound by fear. Interestingly, many of the things people fear do not exist at all, neither do they happen according to their anticipation. It is of utmost important to know that fear “is a spirit” which does not come from God.

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 2:7 KJV)    

Kinds of Fear

Many kinds of fear exist. One such kind is fear of failure which has held many individuals from starting their own projects or participating in other people’s projects. Fear of rejection has hindered millions of people from initiating formidable relationships. The fear of death has and still continues to torment and paralyze many. Fear of speaking in front of people has suppressed the voices of many, forcing them to remain mum even when they have great ideas or opinions to share with others.

Sadly, fear has stopped many born again Christians from using their spiritual gifts. They have found it extremely difficult to witness and testify of their faith to others, especially those who are not of the household of faith. This has resulted into a lesser number of souls being won for LORD than it should be.

Gideon and his Army

After Gideon was commanded by God to save the Israelites from the hands of the Midianites, he had an army of 32,300 soldiers with him when he pitched beside the well of Harod. Since God wanted the Israelites to know it was Him who gave them victory and not their might or large numbers lest they boast, He commanded Gideon to instruct everyone who was fearful to return home. More than half of the soldiers did so.

“Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount Gilead.  And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there remained ten thousand.” (Judges 7:3, KJV).

According to God, the remaining 10,000 soldiers were still too many. Therefore, He ordered they be brought down to the river to drink water. 

“So he brought down the people unto the water: and the LORD said unto Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink.” (Judges 7:5, KJV).  

Out of the 10,000 men, only 300 lapped, putting their hand to their mouths. These were the ones God used to deliver the Israelites from the Midianites.

“And the LORD said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place. (Judges 7:7, KJV).  

The Cowardly

The cowardly, together with a host of other people, will not inherit God’s Kingdom. In fact, their ultimate end will be in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone.

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. (Revelation 21:8, KJV).

Conclusion

An uneducated, untrained person with courage is more valuable to God than an educated, well-trained coward.

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13, KJV).