Your works matter to God (Oba. 15; II Cor. 5:10). When you think you are working for others, you [...]]]> “Well done, good and faithful slave; you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things, enter into the joy of your master” (Mt. 25:21, 23).

Your works matter to God (Oba. 15; II Cor. 5:10). When you think you are working for others, you are actually laboring in your own behalf because your God is the God who sees all, and compensates those investing themselves in kingdom labors (Gen. 16:13). God says, “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much” (Lk. 16:10).

If you place your humility and your pride aside for just a moment, what would be your description of the talents the Lord Christ has given you? Are you a five-talent person, a two-talent person or a one-talent person?

If someone were to judge you by your actions, would they see you exercising one talent, two talents or five talents? Many professing Christians claim to be one talent people when they are actually far more talented. The problem is that if they recognized their multi-talentedness, they would realize how much more is expected of them.

Other professors of Christianity claim to be multi-talented, but they seem to only exercise one talent, and then they only exercise that talent infrequently. So are they single-talented or multi-talented? Their lips say one thing while their lives declare another.

Perhaps the more important question is not the number of talents you possess, but what are you doing with the Lord’s gifts to you? What were the talents of Martin Luther, John Calvin, George Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards? What did they do with their Lord’s gifts to them?

Passivity displeases God – aggressiveness in the exercise of talents is quite pleasing to God. God declares to His servants who were active in using all He had given them, “Well done.” Will God compliment you when you enter His presence?

Scripture authenticates the truth that it is better to fail in pressing valiantly the cause of Christ than to succeed in any other cause. Who has lost in pursuing the cause of Christ, in taking up his cross and following Jesus? Scores of professing believers are silent when they should speak, they are uprooting when they should be sowing and they are absent when they should be demonstrably present. Their lives are mediocre defeats rather than advancing investments.

God is generous to those investing themselves in the building of His kingdom. When they take up residence with the Savior, they will find themselves in “charge of many things” and they shall enter into the joy of their Master.

God expects of you what you can do in Him. Your reward will be proportioned to your faithfulness. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord” (I Cor. 15:58).

The time [...]]]> “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths” (II Ti. 4:3f.).

The time Paul refers to in the above passage is upon your land today. Though some continue to hunger for sound doctrine, their numbers are lessening in proportion to the population’s migrating toward less doctrinal teaching. Scores of those within the church have hardened their hearts toward the grace of God’s simple gospel.

God says many churchmen are transferring to less biblical churches because they want their ears tickled. They seek what agrees with their own lusts and have come to hate the only medicine that will cure their true disabilities. The church is populated with fickle hearers whose selfish blindness itches their perverted tastes. God said through the prophet Jeremiah, “An appalling and horrible thing has happened in the land: The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule on their own authority; and My people love it so!” (Jer. 5:31).

God’s warning to His bride is that they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires rather than His desires. The hearer makes himself the measure of who should teach and what teaching is acceptable rather than looking to God’s word. Perhaps Christendom is in need of an angel from heaven to come down and trouble the pool of Christendom so people will want to be plunged afresh into the waters of the true church. Many preachers and teachers motor through the Lord’s parish clothed in the wool of the lamb, but they do not feed the flock. These preachers and teachers may be well-intending, but they are actually turning aside the ears of those lambs under their care from the word of truth.

God’s biblical truth requires the proclamation of sin, judgment, damnation and hell as well as the hopeful rainbows of heaven. Many teachers are sincere in wanting to bring others into God’s kingdom, but it appears the church is becoming more impoverished rather than graced by the approach of its ministers. The moral demise within the culture flows from the sewers of the church and the accompanying intellectual decay in the society is a natural complement to failing to present the whole counsel of God.

Robert Bruce’s 16th Century preaching in Scotland allowed the people to note a contrast between one who preaches with authority and the others who preach for the smiles of the congregation. Robert Murray McCheyne cautioned people to follow the word of God rather than those professing to be God’s ministers: “A minister will make a poor saviour in the day of wrath…. You need to have your hand on the head of the Lamb for yourselves. You need to have your eye on the brazen serpent for yourselves.”

Numerous preachers and teachers have been deceived into believing they can accommodate the church and the word of God to the world. Those so attempting this vice have unchurched and unholied many because they attempt to nullify the distinction between the righteous and the unrighteous – they expand the heirs of grace beyond God’s doctrinal defining.

Both the beauty and success of a church is measured in the depth of transformed lives, the holiness of its members, the nearness of her doctrine to Scripture and the glory she offers to the Trinity. The true church is being strengthened by the present storms, fires and floods of mal-teaching because God the Spirit shall bring His bride nearer to godliness and the accompanying worldly criticism in order to purge out of her the profaneness of her membership. Difficulties within Christ’s church remove earthly dust from her pulpits, teaching stations and offices so that her loveliness is made evident. When she is sifted by others claiming Christianity, the barnacles of this perishing ocean of sin are scrapped away.

Many saints are discouraged by what they witness in God’s church and among those professing loyalty to Him. You should be concerned and you should be battling the malpractice of Christianity you witness in the church as well as your church. Nonetheless, remember Jesus’ promise: “I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it” (Mt. 16:18). The bride, the wife of the Lamb, shall be presented to the Holy One most perfect in the heavens, and all of the powers and thrones and dominions of this world shall discover themselves without any value for their purpose in the building of Christ’s kingdom shall have been served.

You either fear the Lord or you fear men (Mt. 10:26, [...]]]> “Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the Lord and who esteem His name” (Mal. 3:16).

You either fear the Lord or you fear men (Mt. 10:26, 28, 31). Those fearing men are fickle in their allegiances. Nehemiah was only fearful of displeasing God (Neh. 1:11). Therefore, Nehemiah could accomplish eternal works because godly fear insulates against sloth while advancing thoroughness.

God is merciful to those fearing Him (Lk. 1:50). God-fearers know the vanity of this world and they purpose not to chase emptiness. As the days become more irreverent in the matters of Christianity, Christians should become more reverent. You should be even more seraphic in your pursuit of Christ because of the world’s frigidity toward Him.

Today’s culture refuses to accept the biblical truth that the majority of people go to hell when they die because they are sons of the devil in this world. Sadly, scores of Christians prefer to be counted with the majority of people than be set apart from the masses to Godlikeness. Those bearing resemblance to Christ are God-fearers and they are entered into His book of remembrance.

A most valuable resource on the matters addressed by Malachi in this verse is Thomas Watson in his writing entitled Religion Our True Interest (Edinburgh: Blue Banner Productions), 1992 (first published 1682). Mr. Watson defines God-fearers as follows:

• Fearful of doing anything that he thinks may be sinful (Ro. 14:23)
• They might be found in the traffic of unholy company, but they refuse to dwell in that traffic. They are as Christ who went among the wicked only as a physician goes amongst the sick
• Those who went near the fiery furnace were burned though they did not go in it
• They will not wound the face of their Christianity
• They walk by the law rather than by the example of others
• They only truly trust the sacred canon, the compass of the Word
• They exhibit integrity when others refuse
• They are chaste when others sacrifice their lives to their lusts
• They are more frightened of their own hearts than they are of armies and monies because they know of its subtleness that hides its stubbornness (Jer. 17:9; I Ki. 15:5)

Satan hates those who fear Christ. He has renamed sin so that it appears good. He presents himself as a friend rather than an enemy (II Cor. 11:14). You must be as the church in Pergamum that though there were located in the site of Satan’s throne, they held fast to the name of Christ (Rev. 2:13).

John Bunyan, the author of The Pilgrim’s Progress, wrote, “Many will walk with religion when she wears her silver slippers.” Mr. Bunyan was and is right. Professing Christians are so numerous they cannot be [...]]]> “Then I was very much afraid. So I prayed to the God of heaven” (Neh. 2:2, 4).

John Bunyan, the author of The Pilgrim’s Progress, wrote, “Many will walk with religion when she wears her silver slippers.” Mr. Bunyan was and is right. Professing Christians are so numerous they cannot be numbered when it is fashionable for others to know of their Christianity. But when Christianity becomes culturally unfashionable too few will confess what they profess.

Nehemiah was advised that the people of the Hebrews were “in great distress and reproach, and the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates are burned with fire” (Neh. 1:3). He confessed his fear, and yet he knew he must act upon the information he had been provided. Fear does not mean a person is not daring or he lacks courage. Many have a patient courage and others a moral courage, but Nehemiah needed an immediate boldness in his courage to accomplish the burden the Lord had placed upon his heart.

Total obedience overcomes fear. Absolute surrender to the cause of Christ removes the fear of being perceived “fools for Christ’s sake” (I Cor. 4:10). Scores of Christians have a trust in the Lord that may be true, and yet not lively and activating. All Christians are saved – all are not victorious. Too many are unstable, for only the active consistently obedient Christian shall be a victorious Christian.

Christian trust should be so bold it blows the waves of timidity away from the soul of the righteous. Building the Church of Christ demands unconditional trust in the Christ of the Church. Biblical trust overwhelms fear of mistakes or what others will think of you. Christian trust enables you to seal your commitment to Christ with your own blood.

The trusting Christian follows the example of Nehemiah by praying “to the God of heaven.” The more you pray, the bolder and yet humbler you become. Nehemiah must go before the King of kings before he would venture to address the Persian king.

Secure yourself in the cleft of the prayer rock (Ex. 33:18-22). You will move at Godspeed when you pray to the God of heaven before addressing any difficult situation. Prayer does not have the capacity to hinder your journey. A consuming desire for Christ’s mercy seat, the art of praying continuously and the offering of concise crisp confident prayers will spare you from much heartache.

Nehemiah’s prayer was silent and secret to the world. It was presented in the twinkling of an eye with no closing of the eyes or moving of the lips, being strictly offered within himself. Everything is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. Praying fervently for the heart of God removes your fears. Praying sincerely for the mind of God opens the heavens of God (Lk. 3:21).

“In the early morning, while it was still dark, He arose and went out and departed to a lonely place, and was praying there” (Mk. 1:35).

Jesus’ delays are purposed (Jn. 11:1-15). Heaven’s clock benefits the [...]]]> “In the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were frightened, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out for fear” (Mt. 14:25f.).

Jesus’ delays are purposed (Jn. 11:1-15). Heaven’s clock benefits the beloved of God; whereas, earthly time is the unbeliever’s death angel. As the sea billows roll and the darkness thickens the Light of the world strides into the teeth of the wind on the wakes of heavenly waves moving at Godspeed and arriving in the fullness of time.

The sight of Christ frightened His own disciples. They did not expect to see Him walking on water. Though they knew that Moses and Joshua walked through the water, they never expected Jesus to walk on water because that would mean that Jesus was greater than Moses.

The perception of the disciples dictated their reaction. Though they should have been consoled, joyous, calmed, relieved and thankful with His presence/nearness, “they were frightened” (tarasso). Undiscerning eyes forfeit blessings.

They were disquieted, perplexed and troubled. Fear makes one a spiritual gypsy without anchor, harbor or moorings. They perceived danger where there was only deliverance. Jesus said to the church in Laodicea, “Buy from Me…eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see” (Rev. 3:18). The eyes of Jesus’ closest friends were unopened to truth so they needed godly medicining that would only be effective when their perceptions and presuppositions were crucified.

The disciples were so confused and frightened they shouted, “It is a ghost!” Natural vision without spiritual discernment is blindness (I Cor. 2:14). Who do you know that in the storm of life has mistaken the provision of Christ?

The savior of most people is but a ghost – without substance. People are prone to believe anything but the truth regardless of the preposterousness of their beliefs. Scores of others make a ghost of Christ concerning His influence in their lives by refusing to attack sin and hesitating to trust the cleansing power of the Holy Spirit.

The twelve disciples were “battered by the waves.” They could see their boat being torn from stem to stern, a mass of splinters. The winds were shredding their sails and the sea billows were hungry for their frightened carcasses. They were cold, abandoned and anticipated the worse. They understood all that was going on around them except their Jesus who was walking on the water.

They failed to capture the reality that Jesus’ walking on water was the true Christ. They were seeing a glimpse of Deity, yet they were spiritually unprepared for the fullness of this Divine revelation. They were more comfortable with Jesus being in man’s image – man loves his own image and continues to make God into the image of man.

Charles Wesley was certainly correct when he wrote, “Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail the incarnate Deity, pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel.” Nonetheless, when the genuine Christ of Christ is being revealed one must not shrink away into fear and unbelief. Could it be that the more of Himself Jesus uncovers, the more convicted sinners become, even saved sinners?

Matthew says “they cried out for fear.” Terror invades the lives of the impure when they see the purity of Christ. Their fear was not abated when Christ drew near to them, and yet, this was the summit of their lives. Their fear was most unreasonable because Christians should live a fear-free life if they are walking in the Spirit rather than the flesh (Gal. 5:16f.).

The true Christ walks on water, restores sight to the blind and raises the dead. He is most glorious when He is most different from you because His ways and thoughts are so high above yours (Isa. 55:8f.). Christians come to learn that they know their Redeemer better in the struggle than they do in prosperity. They see His glory more clearly in seasons of difficulty and deprivation because in good times man primarily fixes his eyes upon his own image.

Even God’s leaders are frail. Elijah had just won a great victory over King Ahab. He witnessed the power of God over the impotent Baal. He participated in the God-honoring deaths of 450 false prophets upon Mt. [...]]]> “And he was afraid and arose and ran for his life…” (I Ki. 19:3).

Even God’s leaders are frail. Elijah had just won a great victory over King Ahab. He witnessed the power of God over the impotent Baal. He participated in the God-honoring deaths of 450 false prophets upon Mt. Carmel. Elijah saw the fire of the Lord fall. Nonetheless, he took his eye off of God and placed his focus upon the paltry strength of this world.

Fear imprisons its possessor. Elijah became a prisoner to his own fear.

You know that Elijah should not have been fearful, but he was. He did not handle his recent victory very well. He may have fallen prey to the lie that earthly victories have permanency – nothing of this world is everlasting (II Cor. 4:18).

Elijah fertilized Jezebel’s threat (v. 2). His mental perceptions, not his physical conditions, suffocated him. He nursed the littleness in the soul of every fallen man. This man of God measured Queen Jezebel’s power to effectuate her threat against his own ability to escape her cruelty. The power of God should have been his standard of measure.

God is quite honest in His Bible about the weaknesses of His people. Christians experience the same emotions as non-Christians. You too are fallible and fragile.

Nevertheless, the circumstances wherein you find yourself should be identifiers of who you are in Christ, not inhibitors of His power in you (Phil. 4:13).

John Bunyan was imprisoned in Bedford. Nevertheless, from his prison cell he possessed one of the most splendid views of the Celestial City ever to flow from the pen of man. He experienced freedom because he fixed his mind upon the things of God (Phil. 4:8f.).

Why is it that some Christians handle their circumstances better than others? (Phil. 1:12-14). How can some of your brothers and sisters in the Lord exhibit great joy even when their world is crumbling around them? Is it possible they have decided to trust in God’s provisions (Phil. 4:6f.)?

Meditate upon the worthlessness of Elijah’s approach to his fear of Jezebel. Appreciate the fact that his fears never came to past. Consider how this single fear dismembered him.

Make a list of your three greatest fears. Read the book of Philippians every day for the next thirty days. Before and after you read, ask God to take away your fears and strengthen your trust in Him.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6f.).

“Faithful” is the first Greek word in this verse. God’s faithfulness is trumpeted throughout Scripture, for God is worthy of your trust. Paul’s confidence in your salvation and sanctification is established [...]]]> “God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (I Cor. 1:9).

“Faithful” is the first Greek word in this verse. God’s faithfulness is trumpeted throughout Scripture, for God is worthy of your trust. Paul’s confidence in your salvation and sanctification is established upon God’s fidelity, not yours. God shall fulfill all His promises and He shall accomplish with you what He has begun in you (Phil. 1:6).

When God calls a person into fellowship with Christ, that person is delivered from the dominion of sin, he is no longer condemned, he has become a partaker of the divine nature and he is enabled to escape the corruption that is in the world by lust (Ro. 6:6; 8:1; II Pe. 1:4, respectively). You should have every confidence in God’s ability, desire and commitment concerning those He calls to fellowship with His Son, for “whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified” (Ro. 8:30).

When God delivers a man from the domain of darkness and transfers him to the kingdom of His beloved Son, the saved man is brought into fellowship with the God-man (Col. 1:13). The saved man’s will is surrendered to and becomes imitative of the will of Christ. The evidence of his relationship with Jesus is holiness of heart and life because the children of God are in fellowship with Christ by being conformed to His image.

God perfects His people individually and corporately. He brings His called ones into a body of believers so that every Christian might be tutored and encouraged in the ways of the Lord. A Christian divorced from the church will soon discover himself out of step with God because he has forfeited his earthly models of Jesus’ life, character and sufferings.

Are you fellowshipping with Jesus? Are those closest to you exampling the character of Christ? Is your church tutoring and encouraging you in the matters of the Lord?

God calls for an entrustment of His gospel from the more faithfully mature to those faithful ones desiring advance in their walk with the Lord. [...]]]> “The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also” (II Ti. 2:2).

God calls for an entrustment of His gospel from the more faithfully mature to those faithful ones desiring advance in their walk with the Lord. Would Christ identify you as being “faithful?” What portrait does Scripture allow so that you might know, become and disciple “faithful men?”

Hebrews 11 provides much insight into God’s portrayal of “faithful men.” They are at war with their society refusing the fashionable means and ambitions of an empty culture. An old Scotsman said, “What would you think of the man who, when the city was besieged, should buckle on his armour, and run to the east gate, where there was no danger, while the enemy was at the west.”

“Faithful men” are:

• Servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God (I Cor. 4:1)
• Seekers of more mature tutors regardless of the cost (II Ki. 2:2-12)
• Voracious readers of God’s eternal word (Acts 17:11)
• Precise and thorough thinkers, tireless expositors, ready speakers and consistent imitators of Christ (Hag. 1:5; Eze. 3; I Cor. 11:1, respectively)
• Direct, arresting, searching, sober, urgent and serious in the matters of Christ – they speak so plainly that their hearers cannot misunderstand (Jude)
• Witnesses to Christ when others are sinfully silent and silent when others are addressing biblically and verbally the matters at hand (Mk. 8:38)
• Abhorrers of lukewarmness (Rev. 3:16)
• Quick to apply Scriptural teaching to their practical lives (Lk. 19:8)
• Unashamed of the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27)
• Sons of Issachar (I Chron. 12:32)
• Addressers of causes rather than symptoms (Nu. 25:7f.)
• Searching for a seminal influence of Christ upon their culture (Acts 5:29-42)
• Pursuers of solutions rather than placers of blame or blame-shifters (I Ki. 18:21)
• Willing to labor in eternal causes alone (Jeremiah)
• Desirous of dialogue that penetrates to the bone and marrow (Acts 26)
• Always counting the cost and yet never tethered to earthly numbers (Judg. 7:1-8)
• Mighty in prayer (Jn. 17)
• Near-dwellers to God rather than man (Gal. 1:15-17)
• Anticipators of affliction, persecution, suffering and trials (Heb. 11)
• Dissatisfied with incremental spiritual growth in themselves and in those they love (I Pe. 1:13-19)
• Disdainers of half measures, divided hearts and hypocrisy (Js. 1)
• Discerners of temptations, allurements, vice, and vanity fairs (Mt. 4:1-11)
• Refusers of continuing to attend the preaching and teaching that fails to challenge their Christianity by lowering the standard of sound doctrine (II Pe. 2)

“Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him” (Gen. 5:24).

Whose opinion carries the greatest weight in your life? Stephen valued Jesus’ opinion; whereas, Judas adopted the world’s opinion. [...]]]> “Do not fear those who kill the body, but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Mt. 10:28).

Whose opinion carries the greatest weight in your life? Stephen valued Jesus’ opinion; whereas, Judas adopted the world’s opinion. Whose opinion enjoys enduring eternal value?

God says, “The fear of man brings a snare, but he who trusts in the Lord will be exalted” (Prov. 29:25). Saul is one of God’s clearest examples of the tragedy one suffers when he elects to live his life in accordance with man’s will rather than God’s will. Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; I have indeed transgressed the command of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and listened to their voice” (I Sam. 15:24, italics added). Saul was a blame-shifter.

Be mindful, Moses did not fear Pharaoh and Micaiah did not fear King Ahab (I Ki. 22:8-28). Though your body and soul may be damaged by the world, God alone holds their future. No man or devil can destroy your soul or body in hell.

What did Paul advise the church in Rome concerning whom to fear? “You have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba! Father!’ If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” (Ro. 8:15, 31f.).

The governance of this universe is not in a stranger’s hand. God is sovereign in life’s small matters and in your darkness is His light best perceived. God encourages you saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever” (Rev. 11:15).

Too many Christians never enter life’s battles because they fear those who only have an influence upon them in this life. Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego feared God alone. They had no fear upon entering Nebuchadnezzar’s furnace for they knew that their Redeemer lived (Dan. 3:17).

Every day you make choices regarding the opinions you deem to hold the highest value.

Christians should expect persecution from those they refuse to fear. Jesus said, “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also” (Jn. 15:20). Mordecai refused to fear Haman and though he paid for his refusal, his earthly and heavenly rewards were one hundred times greater than all he lost.

Paul says, “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body” (II Cor. 4:8-10).

Fear is the fruit of hesitation. Anxiety is the outgrowth of one who is not committed completely to a work. Apprehension and panic [...]]]> “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Josh. 1:9).

Fear is the fruit of hesitation. Anxiety is the outgrowth of one who is not committed completely to a work. Apprehension and panic are the consequences of partial pledges. If you have not earnestly and enthusiastically entrusted your soul to the Lord Jesus Christ, you will experience the full force of fear.

Every man is the servant of his fears. Fear causes boundaries to become blurred. Man begins to be stretched in areas God has not designed for stretching. Why do saints encounter personal fears hostile to their profession of faith? Because they have lost their untarnished fear of God (Ro. 3:18).

Never withhold your full strength from God due to unbelief. You must believe that you can trust God alone with your whole self. Commit to be totally at risk to God’s provisioning regardless of your assessment of the consequences. Be mindful of the words of your elder brother: “the righteous shall live by faith” (Hab. 2:4).

Joshua was abandoned in his commitment to the Lord. He knew your Lord was with His people; therefore he called upon his kinsmen to have no fear of the giants in the land of Canaan (Nu. 14:9). Moses promised the Hebrews saying, “The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear, or be dismayed” (Dt. 31:8). The people did not trust Moses or God, Joshua and Caleb did. Joshua and Caleb entered the land of Canaan – their kinsmen did not.

One evening Jesus slept as he sailed with His disciples across the Sea of Galilee. A gale came upon the waters and the disciples thought they were perishing. They cried out to Jesus and He rebuked the wind saying, “Hush, be still” (Mk. 4:39). After every thing calmed down, He turned to His disciples saying, “Why are you so timid? How is it that you have no faith?” (v. 40). The disciples were afraid because they failed to access faith in the One who controls the universe. Fear feeds timidity.

Jesus is always as close as a whisper. He promised He would always be near declaring, “And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Mt. 28:20). His nearness should squelch all discouragement and fear: “If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” (Ro. 8:31f.).

You must make a choice. Will you be held hostage by your fears that are the stock in trade of unbelief? On the other hand, will you annihilate all fears by choosing to place your abiding trust in the God who is?

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Ro. 8:38f.).