Faith vs Feelings

Happy Sunday!

"Then the ten spies who had incited the rebellion against Jehovah by striking FEAR into the hearts of the people were struck dead before the Lord. Of all the spies, only Joshua and Caleb remained alive."(Numbers 14:37-38, Living Bible).

Have you ever thought about this?  The 10 spies were only providing the facts they uncovered on their 40 day tour of the Promised Land.  They said, "“We arrived in the land you sent us to see, and it is indeed a magnificent country—a land ‘flowing with milk and honey.’ Here is some fruit we have brought as proof."(Numbers 13:27, Living Bible).  This was a fact.  They said, “The land is full of warriors, the people are powerfully built, and we saw some of the Anakim there, descendants of the ancient race of giants."(Numbers 13:32-33a, Living Bible). That was also a fact.  But then they left the facts and moved over into their feelings.  They said, "We felt like grasshoppers before them, they were so tall!”(Numbers 13:33b, Living Bible).  Don't miss this!  They felt.  Feelings are defined as, "an emotional state or reaction; a belief, especially a vague or irrational one".

The TRUTH was God promised them the land, and He described it to them meticulously.  God proved that He could give them victory in tough situations at the Red Sea.  They saw Pharoah and his entire army drowned.  God proved that He would feed them even in the wilderness where there were no Wal-Marts or Convenience Stores.  What the 10 spies really did was call God a Liar!

When we murmur and complain we are saying that our situation is too hard for God.  We are calling God a Liar.  Jeremiah 32:27 says, "Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?"(KJV).  Romans 8:31 says, "If God be for us, who can be against us?"(KJV).  Numbers 23:19 says, "God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?"(KJV).  Now, don't let the enemy condemn you!  We have all been guilty of leaning on our feelings and forsaking the Word of God at some point.  But today is the day for us to change!

We must always place FAITH above our feelings.  Hebrews 11:6 says, "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."(KJV).  Another translation of this scripture says, "It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him."(Message).  How can we know that God cares for us?  Great question.  I'm so glad you asked.  We know God and His Character by spending time with Him and His Word.  Like any intimate relationship, it takes time to get to know the other person.  The closer you get to them the more you know about them.  James 4:8 says, "Come close to the one true God, and He will draw close to you. Wash your hands; you have dirtied them in sin. Cleanse your heart, because your mind is split down the middle, your love for God on one side and selfish pursuits on the other."(Voice).

Love and prayers, Cynthia