Deuteronomy 20:8 (HCSB)

The officers will continue to address the army and say, ‘Is there any man who is afraid or fainthearted? Let him leave and return home, so that his brothers’ hearts won’t melt like his own.’

Moses was giving the Israelites rules for waging war. This may sound like he was giving any man who did not want to fight an "out" not to go into battle. But this is not true. I see two things here:

1. No man wants to be labeled a "coward." No man wants it to be said about him, "He did not fight because he was afraid." He may be afraid--in fact I think it would be pretty safe to say that any man in his right mind was afraid! But he doesn't want it to be said about him that he turned his back on his friends, neighbors or countrymen because he was afraid. He is afraid, but in spite of his fears he marches forward.
2. But those who are genuinely fearful, and are cowards, must not go into battle because of the negative effect they will have on their comrades. Cowardice is one of those things that runs through the camp like the flu-- it is highly contagious, and demoralizing. We do not want any man who is a risk to run away to influence other men to run away.
3. We want for courageous men. We need men who will not take counsel of their fears, but will subdue their feelings and do the right thing. They will not run away when the going gets tough at work or at home. They will not retreat before the enemy of their souls, or some sweet young thing.

Some of the most inspiring words in the Bible are those in the first part of Deuteronomy 20:

Deuteronomy 20:1–4 (HCSB)

"When you go out to war against your enemies and see horses, chariots, and an army larger than yours, do not be afraid of them, for the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you. When you are about to engage in battle, the priest is to come forward and address the army. He is to say to them: ‘Listen, Israel: Today you are about to engage in battle with your enemies. Do not be fainthearted. Do not be afraid, alarmed, or terrified because of them. For the LORD your God is the One who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.’

The enemy is too big for us, but the battle is the Lord's and He will go before us and fight and win the victory!