Fear Paralyzes You

Devotional Reading: Then they gave their report: “We entered the land to which you sent us. It’s actually full of milk and honey, and this is its fruit. There are, however, powerful people who live in the land. The cities have huge fortifications. And we even saw the descendants of the Anakites there. Numbers 13:27‭-‬28 CEB

We are much aware of the story of Moses sending twelve spies to scope out the Promised Land. In our text today, we read the report that the spies brought back to Joshua and the people of Israel. Verse 27 gives an amazing report of a land flowing with milk and honey. If the report had ended there, it would have been great. All they had to do was believe that this God, Who had recently done great miracles in their lives, had also promised this land to them.

Unfortunately, the report did not stop there, but continued: “…nevertheless…”. The report that ten of them gave was that because of the size and strength of the people in the land, the land would be impossible to conquer. There was no possible way that God would be able to allow them to accomplish it.

They knew they were not mighty warriors. All they could see themselves as were slaves with no training. Now they had a hurdle. They said it looked like the walls of Jericho went all the way up into the heavens. With their eyes, they saw an insurmountable obstacle blocking their path, and it made them fearful.

Insecurity, thoughts of failure, and worries about what people will think are very real fears. Fear of failure, fear of losing someone, or fear of making the wrong decision will always paralyze and keep us from moving forward. Fear can also stop us from doing the things that God would want us to do. We can’t let the fears that we are facing paralyze us and keep us from serving the God Who has been faithful to us.

Prayer and Confession
Jesus I know you are faithful. According to your word, I speak today, fear has no grip over me. I overcome my fears, insecurities and worries by faith in your faithfulness. Amen!

Further Reading – Hebrews 11: 30