How Fear and complaining fuels disobedience 

In  Deuteronomy 1. God had spoken to the Israelites and commanded them to go and posses the land which was already theirs. But because of fear , complaining  and doubt, they did  not obey.

They could not go into their promise land. Even after God had told them many times “ Do not be afraid” Deuteronomy 1:21 See, the Lord your God has set the land before you. Go up and take possession of it as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has told you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.

There’s a saying that goes “delayed obedience is disobedience. And this is a lesson we all have to learn. What did you do when God told you to step out and do what He called you to do? Did you wait till you are ready? Are you waiting to have that cheque in your bank account? Are you waiting till you have 10,000 supporters? From what I could see ,the Israelites were still afraid, not ready but that was the time God told them to go pick possess their land. 

Fear is a form of distrust . The Israelites did not trust that God will give them the land. Faith means we trust God ,and requires that we step out and He will make the way. 

The Israelites in their own mind thaught “ God was planing to destroy them” . 

(Deuteronomy 1:27 You grumbled in your tents and said, ‘The Lord brought us out of the land of Egypt to hand us over to the Amorites in order to destroy us, because he hates us.)

Why would God bring you this far to give up on you? After all you’ve been through? After all He’s done for you? After where He has taken you from? He only wants the best for us. And sometimes what’s ahead and the step we must take can come accross as daunting. But if we step out and obey .. God promises to be with us. 

What has God told you and I to start ? That business, that song, that fellowship, apply for that position? And what are we waiting for ? 

What are you fearful of? 

And even worse fear is also disobedience. Fear stops us from obeying. We are afraid of what will happen, what people will think of us.

God who created the people and makes a new day is greater than every single one of those fears. You know why because He knows tomorrow , and before any of those people you are afraid of ever existed God was here. God is allowing .

It’s very easy to remain in fear .. especially when you don’t know what will happen. But God has given us power over every fear. His spirit of power love and a self control lives in you.. But trust that God who knows everything. And who else could we put our trust in but Him. 

What helps me a lot is bringing back memories of God’s faithfulness and how He made a way for me in tough times. So Look back at all the times God made a way for you. All the times He provides and protected and has been there for you. And let that fuel your faith. 

Psalm 46:9 I am God, and there is none like me,declaring the end from the beginningand from ancient times things not yet done.

God reassures us so many times in the bible and even though we can feel it, we must not let it overpower us and control us. 

Let these bible verses reassure us that God is faithful and is with us  through every step of the way ❤️❤️

Isaiah 41:10 ESV

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Philippians 4:6 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Romans 8:15 

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

1 John 1:9 

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 4:18-19 

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us.