“We have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our
confidence steadfast to the end.” —Hebrews 3:14
What was wrong with the ancient Israelites? Why did they have such trouble
trusting God? In Hebrews 3, we’re reminded that they heard God’s promise
yet refused to believe. I think I know why—we have the same problem today..
God provided for the people on their desert march. They would be satisfied
and happy for a while, but then a new crisis would arise. They would stare
ahead at their wall of trouble, become frightened, and lose faith.
Before Moses went up the mountain to get instructions from God, the
Israelites had recently defeated the Amalekites. Things were going fine.
But when Moses stayed on the mountain too long, the people panicked.
Instead of looking back and recalling that God could be trusted, they
looked ahead and saw nothing but the possibility of a leaderless future. So
they sought to create “gods that shall go before us” (Exodus 32:1). Their
trust was blocked by a fear of the future when it could’ve been solidified
with a simple look back at God’s deliverance.
Likewise, our obstacles appear huge. We need to look back and reassure
ourselves by recalling what God has already done on our behalf. That
backward look can give us forward confidence.
“Fear hinders faith, but trust kindles confidence.”
–
Love and Many Blessings (LAMB)
In His Grip,
Lamonica D. Bell, Pastor
Church of Philadelphia at Port Tobacco (C.O.P.)
“The Church of the Open Door…”
