Go up and possess the land

“Behold, the LORD thy God hath set the land before thee: go up and possess it, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged.” - Deuteronomy 1v21

As the book of Deuteronomy opens Moses gives instructions for the conquest of the land. The instructions he gives up are very clear – “Go up and possess it…fear not and don’t be discouraged.”

We find the principle all through the word of God. God gives an instruction involving a promise, then He simply instructs His people to obey is instructions and “do it.” With that however God always gives words of encouragement – “Don’t be afraid and don’t be discouraged.”

Fear and discouragement are not of God, but they are very real. At one time or another each of us have faced, are facing, or will face one or both of these challenges. We can take great comfort in the fact that God Himself will tells us not to be afraid or discouraged. The great truth is that God is on our side as He was with Israel. We need never be discouraged or afraid because greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.

With God on our side we have nothing to fear. “Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed, for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest.”