DEFEATED BY FEAR

Now when all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings along the coast heard how the LORD had dried up the Jordan before the Israelites until they had crossed over, their hearts melted in fear and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites. —Joshua 5:1

The arrival of the people of Israel was not unnoticed by the people of the land. This report regarding the Amorite and Canaanite kings echoes the encounter that the Israelite spies had with Rahab in Jericho. “I know that the LORD has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you,” Rahab told the spies, recounting how God had led them and fought for them in their journey from Egypt. “When we heard of it, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below” (Joshua 2:9–11). Such is the power of fear that the people of Canaan were defeated before any battles were fought. The power of God was so evident that the stories of what He had done were sufficient for the next battles. For the people God was with, remembering what God had done was key to facing the future with courage. For those who did not know this God, they had a choice to make.

Rahab sought safety for her family, even if she did not fully understand this new God. For the kings who would not relinquish their power or lands, their fear led them to despair and defeat. While the power and presence of God can be daunting for those who seek to walk with Him, it is overwhelming for those who would stand opposed.

The fear is real, but how we respond to it makes all the difference.