C'mon-- what are you afraid of?

Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.”

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. We saw the Nephilim there. . . . We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.”

--Numbers 13:30-33

So there they were, those Israelites. 

They had grumbled their way through the desert, been lovingly cared for by God every step of the way (even as they loudly complained that slavery in Egypt was better than wilderness with God). 

They had watched the waters of the Red Sea divide so they might safely pass, turned to see the floodwaters engulf their enemies.

Now, here they are, at the very edge of the Promised Land, the Land of Milk and Honey-- so close, if there's bread in the oven they can smell it baking.

And what happens? The recon group comes back and gives a false report, makes up a whopper of a lie about the people living there, and the Israelites believe it.

Hook. Line. Sinker. Swallowed it whole.

"Oh no! We can't go there! Those Nephilim-- they're too big, they're scary, they probably drool-- and they snack on people our size just for fun! Pl-e-e-e-e-e-a-s-e just let us go back where we came from! Please!"

The only thing standing between the Israelites and their Promised Land is a lie. Their true enemy isn't these Nephilim; it's themselves.

Their own fear has them paralyzed, too afraid to take the next step.

True confessions time: Been there, done that. Had a plaque made for the wall.

* * * * *

There's a terrific children's book, Bedtime for Frances, by Russell Hoban. It's time for bed. Mom's tired, dad's exhausted-- Frances is scared. 

There are monsters scratching outside her window! There is a crack in the ceiling and spiders might come in! How can a little girl sleep when there is a big, hairy, scary thing in the corner???

The very wise parents shine a little light on the situation.

No monsters, just the wind. No spiders. No thing-- just a quilt and a rocking chair.

The Way, the Truth-- the Light. And the darkness shall not overcome it.

Shine a light on your fears. Whatever it is, no matter how hairy or prickly or drooly-- look it in the face. And call upon the One who promises never, ever to leave us to face the darkness alone.

The wind? Holy Spirit breeze, perhaps.

The quilt. And a rocking chair. Perfect place to snuggle up with the Father and be quiet together.

Spiders? Well . . . there may still be spiders. But my husband always said spiders were the good bugs. Feed the bad bugs to the spiders.

The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and Jacob-- and the Creator of all that is has promised.

"Lo, I am with you always, even unto the close of the age."

Almighty, power--filled God, calm my fears. Quiet my anxious heart. Lead me back into the present moment and allow me to be mindful of your perfect presence. Fill me with your peace. Amen.