Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them. — Numbers 14:9

Each week in synagogue, Jews read through the Torah from Genesis to Deuteronomy. The Torah portion for this week is Shelach, which means “send,” from Numbers 13:1–15:41.

I was just a child in the early years of The Fellowship, but my Uncle Beryl, my father’s brother, recently told me about the difficult times he watched my father endure. Times when he didn’t know if The Fellowship would ever succeed. Times when he didn’t know if he would have enough money to support his family. Times when he was verbally attacked by prominent leaders who didn’t approve of what he was doing, because they didn’t understand what he was doing.

But my father never doubted the path he was on. He had complete faith that he was doing what God called him to do and so he stayed the course. When we have faith in God, our doubts and fears vanish.

Faith gave my father the strength to keep going when everyone and every circumstance told him to stop. He didn’t stop, and because of that, he succeeded, The Fellowship succeeded, and millions of people around the world have been blessed in so many ways.

Faith That Empowers Us

In this week’s Torah portion, we read about the spies that Moses sent to scout and bring back a report about the Promised Land. Ten of the 12 spies brought back a negative report. They told the people that it was too dangerous to try to conquer the land. However, two spies disagreed. But rather than disagree and argue with the description of the other ten spies, Caleb and Joshua reminded the children of Israel that God was on their side.

They told the people, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them” (Numbers 14:7-9).

Faith in God doesn’t mean that we can sit back and let God do all the work. It’s faith that empowers us and gives us confidence. When we are doing the work that God has called us to do, there is no reason to fear. In the words of Caleb and Joshua, “the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid.”

Your turn: Do you feel doubt or fear about an important task before you? Remember that God is with you. Put your trust in Him and you will be successful.