Israel has finally reached the edge of the land God promised to Abraham generations earlier.

The spies return with evidence that the land is everything God promised. But they also report fortified cities and powerful inhabitants. Ten spies become convinced that Israel cannot overcome what lies ahead. Joshua and Caleb see the same obstacles, but their confidence comes from somewhere else: “The Lord is with us.”

In Week 6 of The Story, John Gunter explores how fear changed Israel's view of both their circumstances and God's faithfulness. Instead of remembering the God who delivered them from Egypt, brought them through the sea, provided for them in the wilderness, and led them to the land, they focused on what they believed they could accomplish on their own.

Their decision had consequences. Forty years later, a new generation stands ready to enter the land.

Moses' message to them isn't that the road ahead will be easy. It's that they will not travel it alone:

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear...for it is the Lord your God who goes with you.”

Fear itself does not mean we have no faith. The question is what we do when fear comes. Will we measure the situation only by what we believe we can handle, or will we remember the God who has been faithful and who goes before us?

The obstacles may be real. But God is with us.

Key Scriptures: Numbers 13:26-33; Numbers 14:1-11; Deuteronomy 8:2-5; Deuteronomy 31:6-8

Series: The Story
Week 6: God Goes Before You
Speaker: John Gunter

Eagle Community Church of Christ
Mont Belvieu, Texas

Loving God. Loving People. Following Jesus.