Fear

If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not. (Numbers 14: 8, 9)

It is very interesting that we are very full of faith in our conversation yet very uncertain when we encounter life itself. We have greater faith in our advice than when we are facing similar experiences. Our testimonies have a greater demonstration of faith than we have. We are very quick to ascribe our experiences to faith even though we know that it was more of a chance experience.

How is it that we can change from great faith to little or no faith so abruptly? What guides our faith? What determines our choices?

The verses above come from the time Israel lost the battle of faith in the wilderness and were condemned to wandering in the wilderness for forty years.

 I want us to realize that all the twelve spies saw the same thing. They also had a similar background. It is apparent that Joshua and Caleb had less experience in their faith than the rest as they were younger.

I want us to look at Caleb’s confession. Why does it start with ‘if’? Why is it not a solid confession of faith? What is different between that and the other’s confession?

I am convinced that this is what brings the distinction between success and failure in the journey of faith. They are not brash. They don’t even seem to be sure they have all their facts right. They are trying to connect their history to their present. They are telling Israel to look at God and assess His dealings with them to make a decision. Theirs is not like Moses’ confession as they had not become so deep in the things of God.

If our relationship with God is right…, seems to be their argument. But their recommendation is what tells us why they pleased God. God has demonstrated His power and presence to us. He also promised us this land. It is therefore safe to assume that taking possession of the land is what He expects of us.

I want us to realize that the ten also reasoned along the same lines but came to the wrong conclusion. If the Lord delights in us…, but then thought, suppose He does not? They then looked at the odds stacked against them and became scared.

On what side of faith do we stand? Does faith lead us to reason towards obedience or rebellion? I think that is so important as the line is so fine, almost invisible. Any argument you can make on faith can be used for rebellion. No wonder James said that faith that does not move is dead! This is because it will use the same argument to support inertia.

David faced a similar scenario. For forty days Goliath has been tormenting God’s army and no one from the whole army dared put his faith in action (1 Samuel 17). Why? They reasoned like the ten spies. How sure are we that God will rout this army with a giant at its head? They had seen miracles and were sure that God was able, but the decision required a more convincing argument for anyone to put his life on the line for God.

And that was why they did not kill David for attempting to do so. They knew God could. They were sure He could. But what if He is not pleased with us? That is what paralyzed the army for forty days. That is why they were on standby when David went because they had found someone willing to dare God. Their faith was simply not obedient enough. They needed David for their faith to explode into action (v. 52).

But I will hasten to add that the question is very potent. It is imperative to be sure that we know from what side we are asking the question. Remember Ai (Joshua 7)? They thought that God was pleased with them when He was not. It was a painful experience.

This is therefore not an argument for rushing headlong into what you think God has given. It is a challenge to get all our facts right so that we are not just moving impudently to the battle. It is a call to seek to clearly hear God’s voice so that we are not just walking; we are walking where He is ordering us. It is not just about faith; it has more to do with obedience.

What about us on this side of the cross? It makes the choices easier and harder at the same time. How does it? First the Holy Spirit is in us and so we have a very close relationship with God and can therefore get on the spot guidance. Second is that the Holy Spirit is Holy, totally different from us. He is also God therefore His thoughts and ways are way above ours. He is not subject to us and will never bend His will our direction.

This brings personal responsibility squarely on us. We cannot claim we were misled by leader so and so, prophet so and so or man of God so and so. We cannot blame anyone for not giving us accurate instructions.

Due to the same the bar has been taken way up. Whereas in the past the law was the prefect, here the law becomes lower than the basics, just the introduction.

For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:20)

What is Christ saying here? What was that righteousness?

… As touching the law, a Pharisee; … touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. (Philippians 3: 5, 6)

The Holy Spirit takes the sphere of obedience from the visible to the depths of our beings. Killing is not just murder but goes for hate or even spite (Matthew 5: 21 – 24). And it is so even before we speak about hate speech! In fact hate speech in this dispensation is evidence for murder.

Adultery does not speak of that bed or bush or whatever else is used. A ‘look’ is sufficient evidence in this dispensation (Matthew 5: 27, 28).

That is why I am saying it has become both easier and harder. A lot has been invested in us by God and so a lot more is expected. We cannot talk about limited revelation because the Bible is now complete and its Inspirer now lives in us if we allow Him.

We therefore have no excuse for using outward evidence only to make our decisions. We have no excuse when we use our limited experiences to guide our obedience. We have no excuse when we listen to people, even servants of God to give direction to our obedience. Inasmuch as they are valid guides, they can only be used to confirm what God is speaking through His Spirit.

‘If the Lord is pleased with us…’ becomes even more dangerous to us because we have more wells to draw from to make our decisions. And I think that is why Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5) died instantly after playing jokes with the Holy Spirit. That is the reason Herod (Acts 12) was eaten by worms as he stood. That is the reason some in Corinth were sick and others had even died from slighting the Lord’s Table (1 Corinthians 11: 29, 30)

What has God said? Does it agree with His complete revelation? Are you certain you are following Him or are you following His servant? Are you sure that the said servant is like Moses, very clear on what God has said?