Focal Passage: Numbers 13:26-28, 31; 14:6-9, 17-23
There he stood on the end of the diving board. His toes were white as they tried to grip the fiberglass platform beneath him. In front of him was his destination: the deep end of the pool. He knew the joys that awaited, unhindered enjoyment of the full expanse of the pool – no more confinement just to the shallow end.
There would be the exhilaration of springing from the diving board and splashing into the water below. But, there was a large enemy standing in the way – fear. What would he do?
My son knew what I had told him. “I will be with you. I will not let anything happen to you. I will be in the water before you even jump. Just trust me. It will be everything I have told you it will be.” He could also consider my track record. All the previous times I had promised to be with him, take care of him, or protect him, I had done so.
He was faced with a decision. Would he trust his dad’s character, promises and track record?
Or, would he let fear override what I had asked him to do, causing him to disobey and miss out on all that I wanted him to enjoy?
We think about this situation and see the folly of it.
Why would the child not trust his father – his character, his promises and his track-record – and simply jump into the joy and freedom of the deep end.
However, before we respond too harshly, we should think about the Israelites … and ourselves. They stood on the brink of the Promised Land, virtually seeing the fulfillment of God’s promises in front of them, with memories of God’s previous deliverance and provision fresh in their minds. And yet, they cowered away from obedience in fear.
What about you? What has God put before you to do that you are avoiding because of fear, satisfied to walk in defeat and disobedience?
Will you trust His character, His promises and His track record and experience the joy and freedom of obedience today?