So Prove It

Then the two spies came down from the hill country, crossed the Jordan River, and reported to Joshua all that had happened to them. “The LORD has given us the whole land,” they said, “for all the people in the land are terrified of us.” [Joshua 2.23-24]

Why did the spies conclude that God had given them the land of Canaan? It was not because they saw a weakness among the people. It was not because they saw that there were no soldiers. It was not because they saw that the city of Jericho had no gates. It was not because Jericho was defenseless and without walls. It was not because there was no military intelligence in Jericho.

The reason the spies concluded that God had given them the land was because the people in the land had heard about Israel, their God, and the mighty acts He had done on their behalf in their exodus from Egypt.

There are two lessons here: Fear is disabling, and, fear is disabling.

Fear disables those who have it. It makes them vulnerable. It makes them weak. If we hold to fear, we will be defeated.

However, fear is also a tool. The testimony of God instills fear in the godless. The miracles of God are matchless by any foe. That fear served Israel in conquering Jericho. If we hold fast our good testimony of God, our enemies will be defeated!

But what is our "testimony of God?" Is it that He overcomes our obstacles?

What does the world think of God based on our testimony of Him?

There is largely no fear of God in the world today because there is no testimony of God to fear. Mostly, to the world, God and His people are a joke and it is directly the result of God's people having no real, tangible testimony of God.

Sure, God's people today speak fondly of God's intangible comfort and presence. But it was NOT God's intangible comfort and presence that had Jericho shaking in their boots! It was the word on the street of the undeniable defeat Egypt experienced in the very tangible plagues and the Red Sea disaster (from Egypt's perspective). 

God, in quantifiable and measurably powerful events and circumstances, fought on behalf of Israel. 

Egypt, in quantifiable and measurably powerful events and circumstances, was beaten by God.

This explains why demons fled from Jesus too. They knew from 'word on the street' that they were powerless against Him.

So, is God for or against His people today? He is for them!

So prove it.

What makes you well when you are sick? Is it God or medicine? You may answer, "It is God through medicine!" But can you be sure of that? How would you know?

What feeds and clothes you? Is it God or your work? You may answer, "It is God through my work!" But can you be sure of that? How would you know?

What keeps you safe? Is it God or a government of law? You may answer, "It is God through government!" But can you be sure of that? How would you know?

In some ways, the plagues upon Egypt might be explained by science - ...a strong maybe. But, the Red Sea event could be attributed as nothing less than the hand of God.

Can God work through medicine? Yes. Can God work through your work? Yes. Can God work through government? Yes.

It is one thing for us to reason that God healed us through medicine and quite another for an unbeliever to think God healed us through medicine. See what I mean? 

Even if we insist on what we believe, the world may be courteous enough to nod their heads and turn away with a sheepish grin because they 'know' it was really the medicine and not God. There is nothing in the 'dual effort' (God and medicine) report that evokes fear in the unbeliever! 

Perhaps that is precisely why God makes it clear throughout the Bible that He refuses to share His glory with anyone or anything else!

Father, please forgive me that I have not allowed You to build testimony in me. I have relied on everything and everyone else and have very little testimony of Your undeniable actions on my behalf - in my defense. Forgive me for not seeking Your Kingdom - Your help - first, ...and only. Forgive me for letting the world have these testimonies - that its medicine made me well, that its government gives me security, that its economy gives me wealth. Forgive me for allowing the world to see dual honor in my testimony instead of singular honor to You and You alone!