This morning I want to offer a few motivational thoughts about faith and fear.
In studying about the Children of Israel and their exodus out of the land of Egypt I have always been amazed at how they lost faith when the slightest hint of trouble crossed their path, weather it was the Red Sea, no water, no food or what ever the situation might have been. Each time Moses would go to God and he would take care of their problems and issues, and the Israelites would be happy until the next problem and once again they would soon forget that God was on their side and would see them through. If you remember God led them to the promise land twice, the first time Moses sent 12 spies to check out the land and bring back a report (Numbers 13:21 - 14:9). The spies came back after 40 days and revealed to the Israelites that the land was rich, flowed with milk and honey, even brought back some of the fruit of the land. They brought one cluster of grapes that was so big it took 2 people to carry it back!! All 12 spies saw the exact same thing, they saw the big thick walls around the cities, they saw the giants in the lands and ten of the spies were ready to throw up their hands and call it quits saying they could not take over the land. Yet Caleb suggested that they go up and take the land at once (Numbers 13:30), Joshua suggested that with God on their side they could take the land (Numbers 14:8). Sad enough the Children of Israel listened to the 10 and not Caleb and Joshua, crying to Moses that he should have left them in Egypt and not brought them to the wilderness to die.
Remember, all 12 men saw the exact same thing so why is it that 2 of them were willing to go and take the land and 10 were ready to throw in the towel? Two of the men had faith and the other 10 had fear!! Let’s take a look at what faith is and what fear is.
Hebrews 11:1 defines faith: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for and evidence of things not seen". OK, what is the "substance of things hoped for" and the "evidence of things not seen"? I ask myself that question often. A few years ago I came across this definition of faith: "Faith is trusting in the fact that what you can not foresee will happen". I do not think Caleb and Joshua knew exactly how it was that God would help them take the promise land, but they trusted in the fact that God would deliver it to them.
So what is fear?? "Fear is trusting in the fact that what you can not foresee will happen"
Now you are saying hold on Mike is that definition for Fear the exact same definition you gave for Faith?? I am impressed, you listen quite well!
The other 10 spies trusted in themselves alone and did not factor God into the equation for taking over the promise land and chances are they were correct in their observation. On their own the children of Israel would have been slaughtered if they had tried to go into the promise land and take it over. All they saw was the big walls and big people and they got scared and said we can not do it.
Conclusion:
How often are we faced with obstacles or problems and think we can take them on ourselves and forget to factor in God?? We are told to take our petitions to God (I John 5: 14-15) and he will hear us. How often do we quote Philippians 4:13 and do not put our faith in Christ to help us??
We, just as the children of Israel, are trying to get to the promise land with our promise land being Heaven. Paul tells us to keep running the race (I Corinthians 9:24-27) and that God will reward faithfulness (I Corinthians 15:58). The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16).
I hope these comments this morning have been motivating and uplifting for you as you go through your daily walk with God. Thank you for watching, call someone and tell them that you love them, have a wonderful day and God bless.
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