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What hard heads. What idiots. They forgot God’s promises, floundered around in the wilderness for forty years, and most never made it to the land flowing with milk and honey.

The children of Israel forgot how God delivered them from bondage, rained manna from heaven, and kept them healthy and safe during their long journey. He showed them the glory of His provision, protection, and presence. But fear got the best of them, and they tried to take matters into their own hands.

It didn’t work. I wonder what they were thinking.

The truth is we can tsk, tsk, tsk all day thinking shame on them, but we often repeat their behavior. It’s certainly true in my case. Sometimes spiritual amnesia gets the best of me.

When I look back on the ways God has blessed me and all the promises He has faithfully fulfilled, there are too many to name. Counting my blessings one by one, as the song says, would take me from now throughout eternity.

Still, I often struggle in the midst of a storm or trial that life throws my way, easily forgetting God’s love and faithfulness. I think the reason—just like with the Israelites—is fear.

The Bible says fear involves torment. If you’ve ever dealt with fear, you know it robs us of peace. It steals our joy, shakes our foundation, tells us God doesn’t care, and prompts us to fix our problem. Fear causes us to panic and grasp for control instead of keeping our minds and hearts fixed on the One who has the power and all the answers we need.

The antidote for fear is love—God’s perfect love—where there is the absence of fear, doubt, anxiety, dread, and worry.

The next time fear comes knocking, allow God’s perfect love to drive it away. And never forget all the wonderful things He has done for you. Betcha can’t count them all.

(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)

(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)