"Do not be afraid or discouraged" "Do not be afraid or terrified"
Do you know how many times this is said in the Bible?! So far, I've found sixteen times and I wasn't even looking hard. :) I think that means there might be a little bit of importance to it. It probably also means that this is something the people in the Bible struggled with. And since not much has changed since then (concerning our emotions and struggles with trusting God at least) this probably means this is something we struggle with now as well. At least I know I do.
In Deuteronomy 1:21, Moses is telling the people about how they lost the promised land. He had said to the people that they should not be afraid to go into the land that God promised them. The people however, don't listen and get scared. So they send in spies to look over the land, which makes them even more afraid. So Moses reminds the people again that they should not be afraid because God promised them the land they were afraid to take. But, once again, the people will not listen. Because they would not trust God, they never got to enter into their promised land.
When Joshua becomes leader of Israel, these words are spoken again, three times. Obviously, the people have learned their lesson from when they did not listen to God's command, and they want those who have a chance to go into the promise land to not make the same mistake.
After Moses dies, these words are repeated to Joshua by God. Right off the bat, he tells Joshua to "be strong and courageous.... be strong and very courageous... be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; Do not be discouraged..." You think God wanted Him to be strong and courageous and unafraid, maybe?
Once again, in Joshua 8, the Lord commands Joshua to go into battle. The first thing He says to Joshua is... I'll give you one guess... "Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged."
I think by this time Joshua understands what the Lord is trying to say to Him because in chapter ten, He tells his people "do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous." He then proceeds to strike and kill five kings and hang them from five trees to show what God will do with their enemies (I know gross!).
This "motto" definitely passes on through the people of Israel. In 1 Chronicles, David tells his son Solomon, whom God has chosen to be the king who begins the building of the temple, to be strong and courageous and not afraid or discouraged. After David has described to Solomon how he is to build the temple, he once again reminds him to "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged." Figure that one out, huh? :)
More time goes by, and now Jehoshaphat is king. Once again, a nation is planning on attacking them (although you'd think they'd get the clue by now that they weren't gonna win) and all the people of Judah prayed to God. What do you think he said? "Do not be afraid or discouraged... Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged." Surprising? I hope not by now.
Once more, the Bible talks about fearlessness with God. When Hezekiah is king, another country comes to invade Jerusalem. What does Hezekiah tell them? "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged..."Even in the New Testament, people are becoming discouraged and afraid. In Ephesians, Paul tells the Ephesians to not be discouraged because of his sufferings.
Okay, so have you gotten the point yet? :) I'm pretty sure I don't need to sum this up for you, especially since that will probably make you fall asleep if this blog hasn't already. :) But obviously this is important to remember. So.... Oh, you know it already!