Numbers 14:9 KJV – “Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defense is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not.”
Today’s 24-hour hour news cycle bombards us with an onslaught of bad news whether it’s crime or the economy. Politics or natural disasters, all we ever hear or read seems to cause at least myself to fear.
The children of Israel were no different. They heard the reports from ten of the twelve spies that Moses sent into the promised land, and they feared. The initial report or news was that indeed this land flowed with milk and honey.
Much like today though, the bad news overshadowed the good. There were walled cities which would be impossible to overthrow, and the people there were giants. The inclination after hearing such a report was to turn around and head straight back to Egypt. Back to the familiarity of bondage.
We have the same inclinations ourselves. When our walk as a child of God becomes difficult, we look for an escape. It feels easier to not face whatever challenge is in front of us, and instead retreat. There were ten voices telling the people that to press on was foolish and only two voices that were not.
This is our experience as well. We are surrounded by negativity. This I feel is a very compelling reason to go whenever possible to the Word. To the hearing of it, to the reading of it, or even to the fellowship with other brothers and sisters in Christ.
We can then hear the same message that Joshua and Caleb were preaching. Don’t fear they said. For the challenges ahead of you are bread for you. What a strange encouragement at first glance until you think of it.
Bread is a prepared food. It requires a maker. Someone’s hands must measure out the ingredients and mix them, knead them, and even bake them. This is what Joshua and Caleb were telling those people, and us as well. There is no need to fear.
God has prepared the way. He has taken all the ingredients and carefully followed his recipe for salvation. It includes love, mercy, compassion, suffering, a cross, a grave, but most of all his Risen Son our Lord Jesus Christ. As he told us in the6th chapter of John. “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”
With this wonderful food prepared for us, we indeed have nothing to fear. Our Lord is with us, fear not!
Praise God for his unspeakable mercies toward us in Jesus!
Hans Lampinen
Submitted by Pastor Stan