FEAR AND DOUBT = EROSION OF FAITH

We celebrate freedom in many interesting ways... I have to admit I love fireworks and setting off firecrackers.  We have so many things to be thankful for and so many things to celebrate in our families and in our nation.  We can continue to Pray for our nation that God would bring an awakening and a spiritual revival starting with us.  Those thoughts were going through my mind as I pondered the nation of Israel leaving Egypt and then finally entering the Land God had promised them over 400 years earlier.  Let’s look as these verse together.

Hebrews 11:29-30 (NIV) By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned. [30] By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.

Between vs. 29 and 30 there is a GAP - a Gap of FAITH - and a GAP of 40 yrs.  Israel left Egypt with many miraculous demonstrations of God’s power.  Then trapped between the advancing Egyptian army and the Red Sea, God opened up the sea and they walked through on dry land.  They Egyptian army followed and were totally destroyed.  Once they arrive at the promised Land - the spies sent into the land brought back a negative report.  The people gave into their FEARS their Faith is weakened and DOUBT eroded their Confidence and Trust in God. So instead of TRUSTING God to keep His promises they reject God and turn away from Him.  As a result that generation was NOT permitted to enter the promised land.  It took 40 yrs. for that generation to pass on and for the new generation to ready to enter the Land.  Finally in FAITH they crossed the Jordan and entered the Land of Promise. They OBEY God and the walls of Jericho FALL - not by their power and strength - but by the POWER of God.  They Trusted God to keep His promises and He Fulfilled them.  They overcame the GAP of FEAR and DOUBT.

PRAYER:  Lord God, help me to TRUST You.  Help me to continue to Believe in You and Your promises.  Keep me LORD from giving into my DOUBT and FEAR.  Please do NOT allow me to give in to  uncertainty or panic.  Help me to BELIEVE You and to TRUST Your Word no matter what.