Numbers 14:9,27
Two things stood out: Unbelief and grumbling; and the effect
it has on our children.
God repeatedly told the Israelites through Joshua and Caleb …: 9”do not be afraid...do not fear the
people of the land”.
The LORD spoke to
Moses and Aaron…:27 I have heard the complaints of the sons of Israel
which they are making against Me.
God repeats “do not fear, do not be afraid” many times in
the Bible as he did to the Israelites on entering the Promised Land.
Why should we not be afraid? Because we have a Savior, the Risen
Lord Jesus Christ who has conquered death, sin, the devil and the curse!
Fear is a spirit that brings death. Death that we may not
recognize because it comes in so many different forms. When allowed to, it establishes itself in
our soul. It feeds unbelief.
Jesus is our Warrior that has defeated completely all forms
of fear and death. Think of Him who has Risen, the glorious, majestic Lord
Jesus as when the Apostle John saw Him.
Rev:14 His head and His
hair were white like white wool, like snow; and His eyes were like a flame of
fire
: 15 His feet were
like burnished bronze when it has been made to glow in a furnace, and His voice
was like the sound of many waters…..
: 17 The Apostle John
fell at His feet like a dead man…
And He said “Do not be
afraid, I am the first and the last,
And the living One;
and I was dead and behold, I am alive forevermore….” Rev 1:14-18
Keeping this vision of Jesus in our hearts and encouraging
our own hearts as well as others with it, will stifle fear, unbelief and every kind of
complaint. Jesus has already won the battles for us and is forever faithful to
us who believe in Him. His plans for us
are for good and not for evil….Jer
29:11.
Grumbling and complaining will influence our children, for
they learn by our examples.
Ultimately the words of complaint are against the Lord who
is able to turn everything around for good.
How much better to give them a vision of Jesus Christ, who
is the Prince of Peace, and the One who is our Shepherd and loves us so very
deeply?
Father, help us, Your beloved ones to “continually offer up a sacrifice of praise, the fruit of lips that give
thanks to Your name.” Hebrews 13:15
