“I’m really scared.” This was the poignant note a teenager posted to friends on Facebook as she told them of some upcoming medical tests. She was facing hospitalization and a series of procedures in a city three hours from home and anxiously awaited as doctors tried to discover the source of some serious medical problems she was experiencing
In this week’s Torah portion, Shelakh Lekha, the Israelites were really scared. 10 of the 12 spies Moses sent out to scout the land came back with a dispiriting that the Israelites couldn’t conquer the land. Upon hearing this news the Israelites “broke into loud cries, and the people wept that night.” (Numbers 14:1) Joshua and Caleb, the remaining two spies, tried to assuage their fears saying, “…have no fear then of the people of the country… (for) the Lord is with us. Have no fear!” (Numbers 14:9) Unfortunately Israelites did not listen to Joshua and Caleb and threaten to pelt them with stones. (Numbers 14:10)
Who of us has not felt similar fears when facing unwanted life events that are truly frightening? And where can we turn for help? What comfort can we find from our Bible to give us courage in these kinds of situations?
The reality that God will go with us through our trial can help us to hope. Isaiah 41:13 tells us, “For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, ‘Do not fear; I will help you.’ ”
Through
God’s unfailing presence and His peace, we can find the hope and help we need
to endure situations in which we are really scared.
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