FAITH WHEN FACING DELAYS
"Fear imprisons, faith liberates; fear paralyzes, faith empowers; fear disheartens, faith encourages; fear sickens, faith heals; fear makes useless, faith makes serviceable."
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Harry Emerson Fosdick
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hall we go back to a period of biblical history in
which fear had a profound impact on an entire people. The Israelites
"wondered" in the wilderness for forty years because of fear. Recall
the story of Joshua and Caleb.
Numbers 13:30; 14:6-9 (NIV)
30 Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and
said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do
it.”
14:6-9
6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who
were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to
the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is
exceedingly good. 8 If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that
land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. 9 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."
13:30; 14:6-9 FAITH’S
CONFESSION. Caleb saw the same giants and walled city as the other spies, but
the 10 spies brought back an "evil report" of unbelief. Caleb’s
word declared a conviction – a "confession" – before all
Israel: "we are well able to overcome." He had had surveyed the land,
a reminder that faith is not blind. Faith does not deny the
reality of difficulty; it declares the power of God in the face of the problem.
There is a message in the
spirit of Caleb’s response to the rejection of his faith-filled report. Some
use their confession of faith to cultivate schism, but Caleb stood his ground
in faith and still moved in partnership and support – for 40 years-beside many
whose unbelief delayed his own experience. What patience as well as
faith!
His eventual actual possession of the land at a later date
indicates that even though delays come, faith’s confession will ultimately
bring victory to the believer.
Remember always the promise of our Lord
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43:1b-2 (NIV)
In
Christ,
Playwright Janet
Irene Thomas
Founder/CEO
Bible Stories
Theatre of
Fine &
Performing Arts
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