March 10
Num 14:1-15:16 | PS 53:1-6 | Prov 11:4 | Mark 14:53-72
There are still some driving their cars, by themselves, wearing a mask and gloves. There are still some who prefer working in the safety of their homes. Fear is rampant and palpable. Though these are obvious examples, there are many others which might hit a little closer to home. You remain silent at the workplace, not wanting to be singled out, despite a godless agenda being pushed forth. You remain silent when gathering in a group of friends or acquaintances, so not to be maligned, even though godless topics and viewpoints are spoke forth. You choose not to evangelize, for fear of losing your friendship, or getting in trouble at the workplace despite knowing that person in mind does not know Jesus Christ. Even in church, you worship safely, pray safely, avoid nagging questions, all for the purpose of fitting in, rather than doing that which the Holy Spirit is prompting you to do.
The Israelites are on the brink of entering the Promised Land. Though in Numbers it seems like the decision came from God to spy out the land (chapter 13), if you read Deuteronomy 1:19-23, you realize that this decision came from fear and doubts from the people. Spying the land was not the Will of God, but is an example of the permissive will of God. Though the land was all that God had promised, ten of the spies, due to fear, only saw the giants and the strongholds. Fear is contagious (as we have seen in our current times) and this became the choice of the Israelites. In fact, this fear (read Hebrews 3:7-15) was really unbelief. Two of the spies, Joshua and Caleb, didn’t see the giants or strongholds as an issue, they saw their God as being bigger than anything the Canaanites, Amalekites, etc. could bring. But fear and unbelief squashed their message which resulted in forty years of wandering in the desert and the death of all those men 20 and over, who were not permitted entry due to their unbelief.
In Mark 14, we see fearlessness embodied in the Person of Jesus Christ. He was lied about, mocked, and beaten before He was crucified. Yet we read in 14:60-61, “And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, saying, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” But He kept silent and answered nothing…”. We read in Matthew 5:5, “Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.” Jesus had everything necessary to fight back, but He harnessed His strength to achieve what had to be done. There are times to remain silent and times to speak out. But these times should be determined by God through us, as vessels, not decided by us on the basis of fear. God calls us individually, not collectively, so as individuals, it is time for us to stand fearlessly in the name of Jesus Christ.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: