Fears and Obstacles

“But the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!” Number 14:9

Soon after the Lord led the Hebrews out of Egypt, He brought them to the border of Canaan. There He instructed Moses to send twelve spies into “the land I am giving to Israel” (Num 13:2) who were to return with a report describing the inhabitants, towns, and crops. Forty days later, the scouts’ report included not only positive descriptions of fertile land and bountiful crops but also fear-filled tales of well-fortified towns and a people of great strength and height. While ten of the spies encouraged the Hebrews to retreat to Egypt, the other two, Joshua and Caleb, countered with, “but the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!”

What courage Joshua and Caleb showed in the face of tremendous opposition. As witnesses to the power of God through the miraculous rescue of the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt, they knew in their hearts that, with God on their side, they need not be afraid of the task before them. The fears expressed by the ten spies were only valid from humanity’s perspective not from God’s omnipotent vantage point.

Reading this story reminds me of the many times I have come up against obstacles. Frequently I assume they are signs to go in another direction just like the ten spies. Other times, I know He wants me to put my fears and concerns away and trust Him as I move forward through the obstacles knowing He will be with me. How do I know which way to go? I pray more; listen and watch for God to give further indications; and keep reading my Bible.

At a time during my Bible College studies, I came up against more and more challenging requirements for the assignments. I struggled between giving up and pressing on. However, through prayer, I sensed God telling me to keep going, and with encouragement from friends, I knew that God would wonderfully inspire me to complete these assignments. In doing so, I would increase my personal testimony of God’s power working in me to overcome these and other earthly obstacles.

For their faithfulness, Caleb and Joshua entered the Promised Land forty years later. I pray that by looking past my obstacles and fears and by trusting God, I will be blessed and rewarded as were these two courageous spies!