Do not fear or be dismayed --Joshua 8

Joshua has every reason to be fearful and dismayed at this point of his life: they've just stepped out in faith to attack the city of Ai and they failed. They were defeated by the enemies. They had faith, and they also had common sense, but this time it seemed that the common sense had won. Not only that, they had to stone Achan and all his family to death, and burn everything.

Now the Lord's calling them out again. Don't you reckon he'd be trembling this time? What if the Lord's not with them again? How could they step out in faith again just seeing what Achan had gone through?

The Lord must have made His command really loud and clear this time: do not fear or be dismayed. Go on with the calling!

Many people may have stopped furthering God's calling at this point of time. They stepped out in faith, tried a bit, then something went wrong, it didn't work, then they backed out, thinking it's not God. But God says, Fear not!Pull yourself up again and go on with the journey!

Today's Psalms is Psalm13, and verse 6 says, "I will sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me." When you know that the Lord has dealt bountifully with you, that your sin has been exposed and dealt with, then you can trust in His lovingkindness, that He's about to move on your behalf!

I remember Joyce Meyer said in her preaching at Hillsong conference, fear not doesn't mean you don't feel afraid. It's ok to feel afraid. But do it afraid!