Context No. 4281 of 4322 · Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy 20:1-9: in context

1When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses, chariots, and a people more numerous than you, you shall not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt, is with you. 2It shall be, when you draw near to the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people, 3and shall tell them, “Hear, Israel, you draw near today to battle against your enemies. Don’t let your heart faint! Don’t be afraid, nor tremble, neither be scared of them; 4for the LORD your God is he who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.” 5The officers shall speak to the people, saying, “What man is there who has built a new house, and has not dedicated it? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it. 6What man is there who has planted a vineyard, and has not used its fruit? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man use its fruit. 7What man is there who has pledged to be married to a wife, and has not taken her? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.” 8The officers shall speak further to the people, and they shall say, “What man is there who is fearful and faint-hearted? Let him go and return to his house, lest his brother’s heart melt as his heart.” 9It shall be, when the officers have finished speaking to the people, that they shall appoint captains of armies at the head of the people.

As Israel prepares for battle against enemies with more horses, chariots, and troops, God's instruction through the priest is not a strategy but a word of courage: do not let your heart faint; do not be afraid or tremble before them, for the LORD your God goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.

What stands out is the ground of their courage. It was not their own numbers or strength, which were smaller, but the presence of God with them. They could face a stronger foe without fear, not because they were sure to win on their own, but because the LORD their God went with them to fight for them. Their confidence rested on his presence, not their odds.

Like Israel before a stronger army, we are prone to let our hearts faint at what looms larger than we are. But God's word to his people stands: do not be afraid, for the LORD goes with you. Our courage need not rest on our own adequacy or favorable odds, but on the presence of the God who goes with us and fights for us.

When I face something daunting, where the odds seem against me and my heart is tempted to faint, do I ground my courage not in my own adequacy or the favorable odds but in the presence of the God who goes with his people to fight for them?

Sources

Deuteronomy 20:3: "Don't let your heart faint! Don't be afraid, nor tremble, neither be scared of them."
Deuteronomy 20:4: "For the LORD your God is he who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you."
Romans 8:31: "If God is for us, who can be against us?"