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Faithful or Fearful?

                 Once an airplane is in the air, almost anyone can fly it.  Keeping it in the air and flying straight is not the hard part.  The danger comes at takeoff and landing.  The transitions are the tricky parts!
                Similarly, in our lives, it is not the time of calm but the times of change that test and challenge us.  It is how we act during times of transition that will determine how things turn out.
                Seven hundred years after the promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3), God’s people are facing a huge transition.  They are standing at the edge of the Promised Land and they are about to see all their hopes and dreams comes true. 
God said, “Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites” (Numbers 13:1), so Moses chose the twelve of the best men that he could find and sent them in.  When they returned, they gave this glowing report: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey!” (Numbers 13:27).  They told of how beautiful it was and even showed them some of the fruit of the land.  It was everything they could have wanted. 
                However, they went on to say, “But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large…We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are… We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them” (verses 28-33).
                Upon hearing this, Caleb tries to change the conversation.  “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it… The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land… and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the Lord. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them” (Numbers 13:30 and 14:7-9).
                What happens next is one of the most critical moments in any believer’s life.  They must decide whether they are going to be led by faith or by fear.  Will they believe that God can do what he said, or will they believe the report that says that it is impossible?
                Ten of the best, Godly men, looked at that situation and their common sense told them that it was hopeless.  Only two of them heard God say, “Go into the land that I am giving you!” (Numbers 13:1).  How often are we, as the church, standing with the wrong group?   How often do we forfeit the blessing that God is just waiting to give because we do not believe that he can do it?  How many churches have closed their doors because we have convinced ourselves that no one wants to listen and there is no point in trying?
                Discouragement spreads quicker than encouragement.  Fear cancels faith every time.  A common-sense approach may seem smart, but spiritual success always hinges on faith, trust and risk.
                Are we faithful or fearful? 

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