Misplaced Fear

Reflections for this date are based on the following scripture passages:

Deuteronomy 20

Chapter 20 of Deuteronomy comes in the midst of godly instruction for Israel prior to her invasion of Canaan. At this point the instruction is regarding warfare and verse one of the chapter instructs: "When you go out to war against your enemies and see horses, chariots, and an army larger than yours, do not be afraid of them, for the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you." So Israel was not to fear even superior armies for God would be with them. As occurred over and over for Israel in their battles, God would fight their battles for them if they depended on His superior might rather than their inferior might.

Fear is frequently used to describe our regard for God. We are to fear Him, scripture tells us, referring to the awe and reverence we should have for Him. For Israel to shrink from going up against a superior army due to fear, they would in effect be in awe of that superior force rather than in awe of God whose might could defeat that army. This is instruction we can learn from as well. Not necessarily in regard to warfare, though that could apply too, but in regard to any threat that we face, be it a threat to our security to our health or whatever it might be. Sometimes we are immobilized from doing what we should, due to fear. It applies here as well.

Fear in the face of a threat is natural. I do not think this is the type of fear to which this refers. Instead I believe it is a fear that places more awe on the threat than on God who can enable us to face the threat and be victorious. In such a case, not only is our fear misplaced but we are also making a wrong comparison. The comparison should not be between our might or ability and that of the threat we face, but of God's might and ability compared to the threat.