Praise Conquers Fear

But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, “The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. Numbers 13:31-32 NIV

 Focusing on fear can lead to sin. Every day, we face a choice: obsess over the overwhelming odds against us or trust God. Fixate on fear, and it will strangle our faith. Fixate on God, and the fear loses its grip.

God told Moses to send spies into the Promised Land. He wanted leaders of the 12 tribes to go through the land collecting recon and fruit. They were gone for 40 days.

The spies returned carrying a cluster of grapes so large that it took two men to carry it. They also brought pomegranates and figs and declared the land certainly does flow with milk and honey.

Ten of the spies said, “however, there are giants in the land, and we are like grasshoppers in our own sight. We cannot go up against them because they are too strong for us.” Fear gripped the camp of Israel. They refused to follow God into the Promised Land. That sin cost them everything (see Numbers 13).

Let’s not be too hard on the 10 spies who gave the bad report. We know from the meaning of their names that they were God-fearing men. Each one was a leader of his people. They simply focused on the wrong thing. Instead of aligning with God’s plan for fruitfulness, they were paralyzed by fear.

God commissioned the Church as spies too. He intends for us to follow Him into His promised land. Yet, instead of advancing, a paralyzed church trembles and complains about the cultural giants. Fear infects the ranks, sabotaging the spiritual courage needed to take ground with Jesus.

I want to be like the two spies that gave the good report. Caleb and Joshua tried to convince the people to trust God and to do as He commands – follow Him into battle.

Their names aren’t just labels—they are a roadmap for our survival. Caleb means “faithful” or “wholehearted.” He was of the tribe of Judah which means “praise.” Faithful praise builds absolute confidence. It empowers us to march into battle with the Lord and take possession of the land.

Joshua (Hoshea) means “salvation” or “deliverance.” He was of the tribe of Ephriam which means “fruitful.” Following Jesus through faithful, wholehearted praise leads to salvation and deliverance – fruitfulness in the promised land.

Praise conquers fear. Consistent worship builds unshakeable faith. Where is your focus – fear or faith? Maybe it’s time to offer up the sacrifice of praise. Abundant fruitfulness will surely follow.