Article November 21, 1970 Issue

"The Lord is with us"

HAROLD E. MARIETTA

Throughout the Bible there are records of prophets, patriarchs, and apostles who passed unharmed through great tribulations because of their unfailing trust in God, uplifting, strengthening, and protecting them. The Psalmist earnestly entreats, "Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us." ^{Ps. 62:8;} And in Proverbs we read: "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." ^{Prov. 3:5, 6;}

A notable example of confidence in Deity, and the suffering ensuing through lack of it, is recorded in the Old Testament. Representatives from each tribe of Israel were sent into Canaan to search the land. The majority of these spies reported that the cities were walled and great; and they told of other difficulties. Hearing these reports, the people were persuaded that it would be dangerous and unwise to make the effort to gain possession of the land. Joshua and Caleb, however, believed it was possible for the children of Israel to take possession of it. Their assurance was based on their faith in God. They relied upon His promises and trusted in His unfailing goodness. They said, "The Lord is with us," ^{Num. 14:9;} and their confidence set forth a great spiritual fact.

Fear and doubt undermined the confidence of the children of Israel in the promises of God because they magnified the difficulties to be encountered. Because they lacked confidence and failed to rely upon God's promises, they failed to put forth the proper effort to gain possession of the land of Canaan—their rightful inheritance according to promise. Lack of confidence deprived them of the good things that would have been theirs had they understood, as did Joshua and Caleb, that the Lord was with them in every right undertaking. Their lack of faith also brought upon them the added penalty of a further period of wandering in the wilderness and the prediction that they themselves would not see the Promised Land (see Num. 14:22-24 and 26:63-65).

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

Thinkers Are Thankers