Focused on Fear Instead of God

Sometimes God calls us to do things that seem overwhelming and scary. Even though he assures us he wants good things for us, there may be things we have to do along the way that are difficult and hard. Yet if we refuse to follow God’s plan, we should ask ourselves what we might miss.

In the case of the Israelites, God told them through His servant Moses that he would deliver them from the bondage of the Egyptians and bring them “to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey (Exodus 3:8, NASB).” The challenge was the long journey to get there and that the land was already occupied by powerful nations.

Ultimately an entire generation missed out on God’s promised land because they focused more on their fear than trusting God’s promise (Numbers 13, 14:1-9). They listened to the negative reports of the spies and focused on the power of humans instead of God. Instead they grumbled: “Why is the LORD bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become plunder; would it not be better for us to return to Egypt (Numbers 14:3)?”

Ever feel like that when God calls you do something? All you can see are the human forces and barriers that seem impossible to overcome. You grumble about the potential harm and question why God brought you to this point. All you can see is the life you knew before and you want to go back to that. 

But God’s promises are true. He does want good things for you. The journey may be difficult and overwhelming at times. You may find yourself afraid to take another step, but you can trust the wisdom of God.

“No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD. – Isaiah 54:17, NASB

For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. – Jeremiah 29:11