The children of Israel tempted God 10 times in the wilderness.
Numbers 14:22 says: “Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these TEN TIMES, and have not hearkened to my voice; Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto the fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it.”
Today we will look at the first temptation:
1. FEAR AND PANIC
Exodus 14:11: “And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were SORE AFRAID and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD. And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? Wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?”
The children of Israel failed in their first temptation (trial) because they feared the enemy. Fear blinded their eyes to the awesome power God had already displayed by miraculously and mightily delivering them from Egypt’s slavery and bondage.
What was Moses’ response? “Fear ye not, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will show to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever. The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace” (Verses 13, 14).
We often fear when things go wrong in our lives. Sometimes we panic. We open our mouths and speak words that not only make us more afraid but cause others to fear and panic.
Moses gave them the overcoming remedy.
a) KEEP YOUR EYES UPON THE LORD
Stand still. Stop running around in panic. Look for God’s salvation. When a flood of trouble threatens your life as well as your family it is most important where you put your eyes. Do not ever take your eyes off the Lord. Do not look at the enemy’s strength. If you keep looking at the Lord, your eyes will see His strength and power. What a powerful vision.
If you look at the enemy, your eyes will see more and more of his destructive power which causes more fear and panic.
b) ZIP YOUR LIP
Refuse to speak negative words. Hold your tongue tightly.
We are exhorted in Philippians 4:6, 7: “Be carefully for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Jesus Christ is the only Prince of peace. There is no other.
As parents, we must apply this truth to our lives as well as the lives of our families. We must each earn to overcome fear, panic, speaking rashly, inadvisably, and negatively. All these cause us to lose our peace and eventually stop us from inheriting the promised land.
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell