We can’t Afford to let Fear Blind us to God’s Promises by Dan Spitz
Fear may be a challenge for many of us as we journey through life’s difficulties and the unknown. We fear that we will lose something we have or perhaps that we won’t get what we want. But one thing we can be sure of is that if God promises something, we will receive it. So fear not!
Unfortunately, fear often keeps us from enjoying all that God wants to give us. Sometimes we even fear what might happen if we put our trust completely in Christ and give up all control and lean on Him instead of our own ability and understanding. But as we consider how the Israelites gave in to their fear of going into the Promised Land, we can relate that to where we are now as we stand for our marriages and God’s promise of healing and restoration.
In Numbers 13 and 14, we see clearly what happens when God gives a promise and His people let fear hinder their ability to put their trust in Him. The twelve scouts were sent to explore the land of Canaan; the Promised Land, the land God told Moses He was giving to the Israelites. God had told the Israelites that the Promised Land was rich and fertile. And when ten of the scouts reported back, they provided plenty of proof of that and good reasons to continue on to the Promised Land, but their focus was more on fear of the negative things they saw. Even though they had God’s promise, they still refused to let go of their fear and trust Him. Yet, Joshua and Caleb stayed focused on God’s promise, and trusted Him, as they were willing to do as He commanded. But the people’s fear grew with the negative report of the ten who did not trust God, and with their doubt came delay; God turned an eleven day journey to the Promised Land into forty years of wandering in the wilderness.
Sadly, fear can interfere with trusting and believing in God’s promise even to the point of forgetting His promise. So we cannot let negative circumstances or situations cause us to lose sight of the promises God has given in His Word and put in our hearts and minds. Satan can even blind us to God’s power and His promise to help guide us with wisdom and discernment. The enemy wants us to lean on our own understanding, and rely on our emotions and feelings, and that causes our faith to fail.
When we doubt God, we feel defeated and discouraged, and wander aimlessly without hope, like the Israelites, and accomplish nothing and that hinders growth in our relationship with Jesus Christ. We can read, study, and meditate on God’s Word constantly, but if we fail to believe His Word and the promises He gives us and do not act on its power and authority, then we remain helpless and without hope. But we have the truth of God’s Word at our disposal and by trusting and being obedient, we can confidently believe and easily conquer what Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy.
It’s amazing to see how those ten men were able to influence those who trusted them and gave into their doubt and fear, even though they had God’s promise! So we have to be cautious when we hear from anyone who voices their doubt and fear to us as we stand for the restoration of our marriages. We have to be confident in what God has promised and pray for wisdom and discernment. And we need to support and encourage others to trust, believe and live obedient lives, as God is ALWAYS faithful to His Word.
Blessings!
Related Scripture: Numbers 13 and 14