What does "Do not be terrified or afraid" teach about facing life's challenges? The Setting of the Command: Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” What “Do not be terrified or afraid” Means • “Do not be afraid” calls for a settled refusal to let fear guide decisions. • “Do not be terrified” speaks to paralyzing panic; God forbids being frozen by circumstances. • Both verbs are commands, not suggestions—God expects obedience because His presence makes fear unnecessary. Reasons We Can Face Challenges Without Fear • God’s abiding presence—“the LORD your God goes with you.” • His perpetual faithfulness—“He will never leave you nor forsake you.” • His proven power—Israel had seen plagues, Red Sea, manna; present trials were no match for Him. • His personal commitment—He is “your God,” not a distant deity. Practical Applications for Today • When work, health, or family pressures loom, rehearse aloud that God goes with you. • Replace anxious “what-ifs” with the sure “He will never leave me.” • Act in obedience even before feelings of courage arrive; confidence follows faith-filled steps. • Memorize the verse; quote it whenever fear presses in. Supporting Scriptures • Joshua 1:9 — “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” • Isaiah 41:10 — “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God…” • Psalm 23:4 — “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me…” • Romans 8:31 — “If God is for us, who can be against us?” • Hebrews 13:5 b — “He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” Summary Encouragement Life’s challenges may roar, but God’s command stands: refuse terror, reject fear. His unbroken presence, power, and promise equip believers to advance confidently, certain that the God who never deserts His own turns every obstacle into an opportunity for faith to flourish. |
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