April 21, 2020
FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
THE SOLEMN DUTY TO ENCOURAGE & EXHORT THE “TROOPS”
What are the effects of fearful and discouraging words during times of duress, calamity and adversity, according to It is Written?
When the 12 men representing the 12 tribes Moses sent to spy out Canaan returned from their clandestine mission, 10 of them rendered “an evil report” that was discouraging and disheartening. You call that Bad News. “There are giants there, the sons of Anak and we are just like tiny grasshoppers.”
But two of these spies, Caleb and Joshua had a very different report from the same mission. Good News. “And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to conquer it.”’Num.13:30.
The general effect of the “evil report” of the 10 spies on the chosen people, against Caleb’s singular work, is sadly being repeated today, in the midst of this covid-19 crisis. And what is it?
“And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them: Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would God that we had died in this wilderness! . . . . And they said one to another, we not be able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we… And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.” (Pls read the whole chapters of Numbers 13 and 14 for yourselves).
This is exactly what happens every time we choose to listen to our own fearful hearts and immerse our minds upon the “evil reports” that are trending today instead of dwelling on the encouragement and challenge to move out in faith, based on It is Written.
Fear generated by the “evil reports” of the 10 spies overwhelmed and overpowered the very last efforts of Israel to enter the promised land, after having trekked through the desolate wilderness for 40 years!
Because of inordinate fear, they mysteriously and negligently forgot all the amazing miracles Jehovah used to deliver them from their bondage, including the longest, uninterrupted miracle in the Bible of feeding them every single day with manna from heaven and quenching their thirst with cool, fresh sparking water coming from a bone-dry rock in the midst of parched wilderness.
This is the painful history of the ancient chosen people. If we don’t learn from it we are condemned to repeat it! Just like Gideon’s army of only 300 men out of the thousands, only 2 of the 12 spies, demonstrate courage and spoke words of encouragement.
That’s what “the fear of man and what man can do” in Moses’ time and now, in our time. In stark contrast, “the fear of God which is the beginning of wisdom”(Prov 1:7; James 3:17, 18], moves us forward to “fear God and give glory to Him for the hour of His Judgment has come,” producing an overcoming remnant whom God joyfully describes in these momentous word that will reverberate throughout eternity: “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.” Rev. 14:12.
So what kind of “report” are we bringing to the people during this Covid-19 crisis, so very near the antitypical Canaan? An “evil report”? Or a “good report”?
Remember that the vast majority of the “people” are listening very intently on what we are saying, and the actions speak louder than words. It is my hope and prayer that we all will choose, though a painful minority, to be among the spiritual Calebs today. So help me God! NMF