Life of Ease or Life of Faith

Life of ease or life of faith: which will you choose? This is one of the most significant decisions you will ever make, with lasting consequences.

Let’s explore the sobering story of the Israelites’ choice to listen to their fear instead of trusting God in Numbers chapter 14, so we can search our motives and commit to a life of faith.

Life of Ease or Life of Faith

Do you imagine or expect God’s blessings served on a golden plate, ready for consumption?

I presume the Israelites were holding similar expectations regarding the Promised Land. After all the turmoil and their grand exodus from Egypt, the land of slavery, perhaps they thought that the Promised Land would be a place of ease and comfort. 

God would lead them to the most wonderful land, ready to dwell in, fertile, without any enemies or challenges to deal with. Just enter and enjoy!

Isn’t this the way we often imagine things, too?

But… They didn’t take into account the one thing they would need to enter and possess this blessing: FAITH. They would need to trust God, to be dependent on God, to act bravely in faith, to face enemies, to overcome obstacles, and to wage war.

Remember to pin me for later!

We need faith to possess our blessings. #blessings #faith Share on X

Why Fear Is the Biggest Enemy of Faith

No, they didn’t expect this and didn’t want this. And they let fear overtake and lead them to make the most disastrous decision and rebel against God. Ten of the spies presented the land as dangerous and impossible to conquer, in short, as a death trap.

Why was their fear so powerful, and what was behind it?

Their fear was fueled by mistrusting God and a lack of faith. The Israelites wanted predictability, ease, safety, and comfort. If God had given them the land without any effort on their part, this would have been like going from one zone of comfort to another. Yes, even living in slavery can be a comfort zone!

They didn’t expect God to give them something to challenge them, which they needed to fight for, and to overcome obstacles. Besides, they would need to trust His leading and be dependent on Him to succeed.

Through the Eyes of Faith

In contrast, two of the spies, Caleb and Joshua, had completely different perspectives. This is how they saw the situation:

• What God gives them is very good. It is a blessing. It is very good because He is good and it is in His nature and character to give good things and bless His people. (verse 7)
• They need to trust Him and not be afraid of the obstacles, challenges, and hardships involved in obtaining this huge blessing.
• God is with them, so they can overcome their fear! They can do it with God! (verses 8 and 9)  

Fear is the opposite of faith. It is the opposite because it is grounded in the love for comfort, ease, and predictability.

It is an expression of not knowing or misinterpreting God’s character, intentions, and plans. That’s why in Revelation, in the list of the people outside God’s presence, the cowards and faithless are mentioned in the first place. And this has a lot to say!

“But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8, ESV)

Fear is the opposite of faith because it is grounded in the love for comfort, ease, and predictability. #faith #trustGod #fear Share on X

The Powerful Faith of a Leader

Moses, God’s chosen leader, showed an amazing reaction in the face of the people’s rebellion. He expressed his faith in two powerful ways:

• Not thinking about himself, his benefits, his interests, his reputation, but mainly showing deep concern about God’s name and reputation. (verses 13 to 17).
• Interceding on behalf of the Israelites, pleading with God to forgive them.

This is an amazing reaction, which showed how deeply Moses trusted God and wanted to see His strength and glory displayed. He cared deeply about God’s name and reputation, and he shunned his personal interests and benefits.

God responded graciously to the intercessory prayer and forgave the people, but didn’t spare them the consequences of their lack of faith.

The Consequences of Failing to Live by Faith 

The rebellion had severe consequences. They were long-lasting, generational, and included suffering and death! Here are the three main consequences that the Israelites needed to bear:

• Exile in the desert for 40 years and death of the unbelieving generation (verses 31 to 35)
• Immediate death of the 10 spies who negatively influenced the whole community. (verse 37)
• Losing God’s favor

God made only one exception for Caleb and Joshua because of their different spirit of faith, who followed Him wholeheartedly. (verse 24)

We need to be sure; our faith or lack of faith has consequences and influences generations ahead.

Our faith or lack of faith has consequences and influences generations ahead. #faith #influence Share on X

Another Display of Fear

How did the Israelites react upon hearing the consequences of their lack of faith? Perhaps this was their chance to change their minds and turn to God, showing reverence?

Although they cried the whole night, their actions show this was not a true repentance or genuine trust in God. Their decision to start conquering Canaan was fueled again by fear and the desire to avoid the severe consequences. There was no genuine change of heart. (verse 40)

Moses warned them not to do that because this was another act of disobedience, but they did it and got defeated. (verses 44 and 45).

Play It Safe or Live by Faith

God is a rewarder of faith.

We are called to live by faith, not by sight. Living by faith is only possible in a relationship of trust with our Creator.

Because He loves us so much, He often gives us blessings that require an active faith and trust in Him, following Him closely, and relying on His strength.

It is not about the things He gives us; it is also about partnering with Him and letting Him transform and mold us so we can be best prepared to enjoy the blessings.

Living by faith is only possible in a relationship of trust with our Creator. #faith #trustGod #Biblestudy Share on X

We Can Grow in Faith when We Draw Near to God

Do you know we can use our worry, fears, anxiety, and pain to draw near to God and grow in faith? Learn how we can do this in my book, “Draw Near: How Painful Experiences Become the Birthplace of Blessings.”

Let me take you on a journey through 13 painful experiences, showing the precious blessings in each of them.

More Encouragement for You

If you need more resources and encouragement to help you combat worry and fear and cultivate a life of faith, I can highly recommend these books. Check them out.

Trusting God in All the Things: 90 Devotions for Finding Peace in Your Every Day by Karen Ehman and Ruth Schwenk

Transforming Your Thought Life by Sarah Geringer

Numbering Our Days:  Combating Anxiety in the Power of Small Intentional Moments by Nichole J. Suvar

Make Up Your Mind: Unlock Your Thoughts, Transform Your Life by Denise Dubois Pass and Michelle Nietert

Life Can Be Good Again by Lisa Appelo

It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way by Lisa Terkeurst

Hope When Life Unravels: Finding God When It Hurts by Adam Dooley

Restoration Year – a 365-Day Devotional by John Eldredge

The Garden Within by Dr. Anita Phillips

Hope for the Hard Days by Sarah Geringer

Lean into Grace by Stacey Pardoe

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Your Turn

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