Recently, I have been reading through the book of Joshua. Encouragement and excitement fills my spirit when I read of the victorious Israelites, who were seldom the favorite in battle, but had been given a promise of land that was theirs for the taking. In order to receive this inheritance however, they had to conquer many vicious enemies who typically outnumbered them greatly. Ultimately, the Israelites led by Joshua, defeated these enemies (31 cities in all) and received what God had promised Abraham and his descendants. I think my Bible’s publisher (Kodhiates & Baker) sums up the theme of this book perfectly, “victory through faith”.

Fast forward to after these battles take place. The Israelites are dividing up the land and reassigning allotments after conquering all 31 cities. An elderly man named Caleb approaches Joshua and speaks up saying, “Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day”. It isn’t spoken out of arrogance or entitlement, but rather with great wisdom and faith knowing the Lord would fulfill his promise. The day he is referring to is one on which a massive decision was made, 45 years before. A much younger Joshua and Caleb were sent on a spy mission with ten others to scout out the Amorites in the Valley of Eshcol before waging war. While others around them were scoffing and shaking in fear about being demolished by what they saw, Joshua and Caleb knew they had a big decision to make and the stance they took on the matter would have enormous implications for the rest of not only their lives individually, but for the whole nation of Israel.

I used to have a kid’s Bible that had illustrations to go along with each story. I still remember the depiction of the Amorites given. Twelve very tiny men were peering over a large wall, with only their profiles visible. A deep fear and intimidation indicated by the steep slant of their eyebrows and wideness of their eyes caused by the looming giants drawn in the distance. Men that looked about 3-times the size of the twelve spies, with rippling muscles and golden armor glistening in the sunlight were drinking bottles labeled “Milk” and “Honey”, laughing and joking with each other.

Joshua and Caleb may have been intimidated and may have been fearful. In my opinion, they probably were and God knew that. After all, God commands Joshua not once but three times to not fear but to be “strong and of great courage” (Joshua 1:6,7,9) when Joshua is given command of the army after Moses’s death.

God knows exactly how we are feeling and why; how great of a comfort is that? However, they knew also the promise God had made to them which conflicted with the course of action suggested by the other spies. The promise was the occupancy of land that not only the Amorites and Anakites controlled, but more land that many other forceful and brutal people ruled. People who had resisted God for many years and had embraced sin.

I’ve started wondering, how aware am I of the promises of God? Ultimately, when we let these guide our decision making as Joshua and Caleb have, they lead to wisdom and amazing things we couldn’t have imagined. These promises only become available and “live” when we see our need for a savior and accept Christ with anticipation of the changes he will instill.

Obviously, in order to obtain the Promised Land, battles were going to have to be fought. The fear overwhelmed the spies though and they did not trust God to deliver on what he had said, that he would deliver the land to them along with their enemies in battle. Caleb and Joshua however decided that day that they should enter into the land. They trusted God would deliver on his promise and carry them in battle. It’s important to note that Moses, while capturing this story in Deuteronomy, mentions how those who were overwhelmed with fear forgot how God had already guided them and what he had done for them.

I am so amazed how quickly I forget the past where God’s hand was on me even in seemingly unfavorable circumstances. The fears start to build up, anxieties start piling on top and decision making abilities are suspended. Hope seems to fade from view, and the circumstances seem to just grow bigger and bigger until they are all that you see. On the other hand when we dub circumstances as good, we seem to forget where we came from and who brought us out from there! Positive emotions start over flowing and our vision again is spoiled by circumstances.

One of the most encouraging truths in the Bible is the fact that no matter what, true hope and faith, not dependent on circumstances, does remain. That confidence and courage God commands Joshua to have did not hinge on the circumstances. It hinged on the sovereignty and character of God, the fact that he loves perfectly. After all, his perfect love casts out fear. Even when his promises seem so far or don’t make sense, they are what has made us who we are and who we are becoming! How freeing is it to know that God promises to never leave us, or forsake us? This provides an unconditional comfort. How freeing is it to know that God promises that all things work together for the good of those who believe in Jesus? It allows a perspective not bound to temporary troubles and trials (of which there definitely will be), and hope in all situations. How freeing is it to know that each person was made in the image of God? It allows for a true sense of self-worth no matter what size, shape, color or quirks someone may have. Encapsulating all these and many, many others though is the freedom given by the knowledge that Jesus Christ chose to die and pay the price for each and everyone’s sin and give us life through his resurrection. We too can be victorious in faith, but only through the knowledge of God’s promises to his children!