Deuteronomy 3:1,2
“Then we turned and went up the road to Bashan, and Og, king of Bashan, with all his people came out to meet us in battle at Edrei. “But the LORD said to me, ‘Do not fear him, for I have delivered him and all his people and his land into your hand; and you shall do to him just as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon.’”
This is a frightful situation. They are going in a particular direction with no trouble in sight. They turn and there is a hostile king, along with his army. Moses must have been afraid, as The Lord says, “do not fear him”.
Moses and the people were not spared difficulty. Neither will we. This is a misconception by some. They see difficulty as a lack of faith or punishment for straying. That is not biblical.
God gives us trials to mature us. Proverbs 3:10,11 says, “My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD Or loathe His reproof, For whom the LORD loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.” Discipline is a sign that we are God’s children.
Fearful events will arise. We aren’t to be doubtful. God is in control. He tells us not to be afraid. Fear is a natural response. If a lion appears, we are afraid. An opposing army appears. Fear is natural. Yet, The Lord tells him to do otherwise.
Faith often acts contrary to circumstances and our senses. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” We make a choice. We have both options in us. Fear is there tugging us. There is a harmful gravitational pull. We also have His confidence. He will work it out. Pray and go about our day. Don’t feed the fear. Try to ignore it. Rest in the confident faith He provides.
Lord, thank You for Your help, Your discipline and the faith You provide.