FEAR AND FAITH by Alexander McLaren

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 10, 1902

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 28, No. 37.

FEAR AND FAITH.

By Alexander McLaren

(Alexander McLaren, D.D., in S. S. Times.)

The minority report [of the spies] recognized both the facts of the case, and yet counseled immediate advance,—“Let us go up at once; . . . for we are well able to overcome it.” There was no blinking of difficulties, no foolish under-estimating of the strength of the opposition to be met. With clear eye Caleb saw all the ranked enemies, but saw behind them the fair land, and above them the promise-keeping Jehovah, who would teach His people’s fingers to fight, and plant them victorious in the land. His confidence was not based either on that under-estimate or on the equally foolish over-estimate of Israel’s strength, as he more fully explained next day, when he summed up his advice with the brave, believing words, “Their defense is removed from over them, and Jehovah is with us; fear them not.” That is the ground of all the truest, most reliable courage.

To front the duties or the oppositions and dangers of any life in the rashness that says, “We are well able to overcome them,” and does not say, “Jehovah is with us,” is as foolish as it is sinful, and as sinful as it is foolish. We may well be appalled when we think of all the perils we have each to face, and all the foes we have each to fight; and the only true antidote to fear is faith. A great part of the future success of the highest sort for young men and women depends on their gravely and with open eyes measuring themselves against what will surely meet them in life, and asking themselves the question whether they are able with their own ten thousand to meet the foe that will come on them with twenty thousand. Such calm forecast of certain future trials and conflicts is blessed if it sends us where it sent the two faithful among the unfaithful spies,—to God’s sure promise and abundant help.