“So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor. And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee.”
(Joshua 10:7-8)
This story in Joshua 10 illustrates so clearly how we as Christians continue in fearful unbelief when God has plainly spoken. Here the Lord promised Joshua and his army victory before the battle was fought. He assured Joshua that the enemy was already delivered into his hand. Yet the very need for that command—“Fear them not”—reveals the weakness that often remains in the hearts of God’s people even in the face of His promises.[1]
We hear the promise, yet tremble at the opposition. Instead of focusing on our God, we get preoccupied with the enemy’s seeming advantages, the difficulty of the circumstances, and the uncertainty of the outcome as though God had not already declared the end result.
This lack of faith dishonors God. It treats His promises as uncertain, His power as limited, and His word as insufficient. When God says, “I have delivered,” and our heart still doubts, it reveals a divided trust—professing faith with our words while remaining fearful within.
Wavering faith occurs most often when the level of difficulty increases. We then begin to measure His word against the appearance of danger, instead of measuring the danger against the certainty of His word.
And though Joshua acted promptly, we often delay when called to act on God’s promises. We wait for clearer signs, more favorable conditions, or greater assurance, when God has already spoken sufficiently. This kind of hesitation evidences not only our fear, but the root of it—our unbelief. Doubt takes over where faith should have rested confidently.
Yet, in His mercy, God did not withdraw His promise when Joshua needed encouragement. Instead, He strengthened him with assurance and stirred him to action. Likewise, He bears with our weaknesses, reminding us of His word and calling us to renewed trust.
Let us therefore confess our fearful unbelief and seek grace to trust Him more fully, that we may rest in His promises and act in full confidence of faith in His word.
Contemplations:
- Fearing When God Has Spoken Clearly. Lord, I have often feared when You have given me reason to trust. You have spoken in Your Word, yet my heart has trembled at circumstances. Forgive me for doubting Your promises and giving place to fear.
- Measuring God’s Power by Visible Difficulties. Father, I confess that I have looked more at the strength of the opposition than at Your power. I have allowed what I see to outweigh what You have said. Forgive me for judging by sight rather than by faith.
- Sluggishness in Acting on God’s Word. Unlike Joshua in this story, I often delay obedience when You call me to act. I have hesitated, waited, and questioned, when I should have moved forward in trust. Forgive me for this slowness of heart, Lord.
- Dishonoring God’s Faithfulness. Father, I confess that my unbelief has dishonored Your faithfulness. You have never failed, yet I have doubted. You have spoken truth, yet I have questioned. Forgive me for not trusting You as I ought.
Prayer (Confession)
Faithful and unchanging God, I come before You confessing my fearful unbelief. You have spoken clearly in Your Word, yet I have not always believed You as I should.
I have feared circumstances more than I’ve trusted Your promises. When difficulties come I often doubt whether You will accomplish what You have said in Your word. Forgive me for this weakness and unbelief.
Lord, I confess that I have measured Your power by what I see. I see the opposition, obstacles, and uncertainty, and allow them to overshadow Your truth. Forgive me for judging by sight instead of by faith.
I confess also that I have been slow to act on Your Word. When You have called me forward, I have hesitated. When You have given assurance, I have delayed. Forgive me for my sluggish obedience and my lack of confidence in You.
Father, forgive me for doubting and dishonoring Your faithfulness. You are true in all Your words and mighty in all Your works. You have never failed, and You never will. Grant me a heart that rests firmly on Your promises. Teach me to trust You in the face of opposition, to believe You in the midst of difficulty, and to act on Your Word without hesitation.
Strengthen my faith, remove my fear, and establish my confidence in You alone.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Further Scripture References for Joshua 10:7-8:
Joshua 1:5; Deut. 3:2; Deut. 7:24; Luke 12:32
[1] John Calvin, Commentary on the Book of Joshua (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2010), 147–155.
