I guess a man walks along the edge of the unknown all the time.”
–Wayne D. Overholser (Day of Judgment)
“Wisdom rests in the heart of him who has understanding, But what is in the heart of fools is made known.”
–Proverbs 13:33(NKJV)
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Oh me, oh my — “There we saw the giants…” (Numbers 13:33). These people saw things with one perspective, while there were two that said, “Sure there were giants but they are our meat.” Quite a difference. We are seeing that same thing with this “corona giant” that we are facing today. Wear masks vs. no masks don’t help. Stay inside vs. go about your own business. Don’t group up vs. get back to school. Who is correct? For sure this is a “giant.”
Even among believers there is a vast difference of opinion. Can all be wrong, for sure they can’t all be right? What about other giants that may come your way–a hurricane for example, do you board up and leave, or stay with your house and protect it? Do you err on the side of precaution, or err in the midst of the storm?
Let’s look at the account again and here I’ll borrow from Norman S. Marshall, as he tells the story.
“A point of view is exceedingly important. Israel’s spies sent into Canaan to estimate its riches, resources, and people brought back a majority and a minority report. Ten spies spoke highly of the land and its treasures. They saw walled cities and armies. They said to Moses, ‘Surely it is a land that floweth with milk and honey.’ However, they added: ‘The people are strong’; ‘The cities are walled’; We are not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we’; ‘There we saw the giants.’
The minority report came from two spies who saw all the same things and measured the same me, but they said to Moses: ‘Let us go up at once and possess the land’; ‘If the Lord delights in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it to us’; Only rebel not yet against the Lord.’
What a difference in report, in outlook, in faith! All of us in every age, in every situation, face enemies and temptations and fears. ‘If God is, then what ought to be can be.’ Love God! Trust God!”
Now we are not to be stupid, but we are not to live in fear. Fear counters faith. We cannot deny that many believers have died in their faith. There are those who died in war, by disease who were believers, did they not have faith? Why didn’t God keep them? He did! He kept them in the palm of His hand. In the midst of bullets flying, He was there. On the deathbed, He was there. Why didn’t He keep them alive may be a better question, but never deny that He did keep them.
Attitude is vital. “He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods…” (Daniel 3:17-18, NKJV). It would be better to be burned in the fiery furnace than to rebel against the King of kings. Rebellion is one of the keys. The ten rebelled against God’s Word, and against Moses. Fear replaced faith. They looked at the scenario in from of them and they knew they had a chance to die if they went into the land. Here we see that leadership failed, for they were leaders of their tribes, chosen for this special task. Yes, they might die, but they would serving God, but now, their bones would bleached white in the wilderness because of their unbelief.
Now that doesn’t answer your questions about the “corona giant” that we are facing. Or does it? Do not rebel against God’s Word. Do not let fear dominate your life. Walk forward knowing that God is with you, no matter what happens. And let me say, without sounding fatalistic or being morbid, when the Lord wants to call you home He will, no matter how many times you wash your hands, no matter how often you wear your mask, no matter how you try to avoid people, when your time comes you will go.