The Jesus Bible Reading PlanSample

CONFIDENCE IN THE LORD

The Israelites were instructed to take a land that was already inhabited. This was surely a daunting challenge for a nation that had been wandering in the wilderness for the last forty years. In order to discern the challenge these inhabitants would present, the Israelites sent spies into the land. These men all acknowledged that the land was indeed a good land — flowing with milk, honey and other examples of God’s exceeding kindness. But rather than being emboldened with courage, the spies shuddered in fear at the power of the people and the fortifications of their cities. As a result, the Israelites were tempted to turn back. Caleb and Joshua were the exception. They recognized the scope of the mission and the obstacles that they would face, but they had confidence in the Lord. They knew that he had always been faithful to his people. He had delivered them from slavery in Egypt and protected them through the treacherous wilderness. He would never abandon them. He is a God who always fulfills his promises, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

Most onlookers would have assumed that Jesus’ victory would be unlikely as well. Few things about his life communicated that he would be the victorious King of the universe. In fact, it seemed quite the opposite. He was born in a lowly stable, was raised in obscurity, ministered as an itinerant teacher and died the death of a common criminal. The men responsible for his crucifixion, in a grand, cosmic irony, mocked him with a sign declaring him to be the king of the Jews (Mt 27:37). Yet God is always faithful to his promise. He used the sacrifice of his Son, against all odds, to overthrow a far greater enemy than the nation of Israel would ever face — Satan, sin and death.

Believers today may also find themselves cowering in fear at the power and might of the forces arrayed against them. It may seem that the enemy is powerful and the world is winning. Yet those who know Jesus can take heart knowing that “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1Jn 4:4). Christians can live with confidence knowing that they are indwelt by an all-powerful God, and this God will always fulfill his good promises.

Jesus, when I begin to fear the powers of this world, remind me of who you are and what you’ve done. Never let me forget, for a single second, that you are the victorious King of the universe. Amen.