Beware of the Virus of Skepticism- It Is Ok to Look Back Sometimes.
Posted: Wednesday, March 25, 2009
by Swapna Nanda
Words have the power to build or destroy, encourage or discourage, manipulate and can even destroy a Nation.
Here is a true story from the Old Testament that demonstrates the fact that Skeptical tongue can create havoc.
Moses and the Israelites had almost reached the border of the Promised Land. Soon they would have entered their long awaited land and occupied it.
Caleb and Joshua were good friends and loved adventure and travel. Caleb admired Joshua because he was the special assistant of their leader Moses. Joshua also liked Caleb a lot because he was very God fearing and modest young man. Perhaps both have witnessed together their miraculous deliverance from Egypt. They have seen Moses doing mighty things with the power of God which has been always to save and protect their Nation. They have memories of Gods faithfulness and goodness where God had divided the Red Sea and made a dry road for them to pass through; they remember how God had provided Manna and Quail, sweet water in the desert and so many instances where God had protected them miraculously from enemies.
Now they were going to inspect the land which God was going to hand over to them to occupy and settle down. All the twelve men went singing and rejoicing on their way.
Moses was waiting eagerly for all of them to return so that they would plan their next move.
All the twelve men retuned after forty days. They had carried along with them a single cluster of grape and some pomegranates and figs too. They said that indeed the land was flowing with milk and honey as they had heard before. But they also spoke about the strong well built people there. The cities were fortified and well protected. There were huge people who could be very dangerous too.
But Caleb quickly silenced the people and said that they should go up and posses the land. He was very optimistic about the whole thing. Joshua also felt the same because they knew for sure that God would help them to conquer and occupy the land. Unfortunately the other ten men who had gone with them did not feel the same not could they view the proposition in the same manner as Joshua and Caleb. The ten men were unhappy and hesitant. In fact they made up their mind that it was impossible to occupy Canaan by looking at the obvious. So they spread a bad report in the whole camp because of which the rest of the Israelites became demoralized and they also felt scared, uncertain, pessimistic, and unsteady.
Gradually this led to an uproar in the camp and all the people lost their peace and started grumbling and murmuring. They felt that Moses was a bad leader who was not thoughtful about them because of which they would all soon be dead. They even accused God and forgot His faithfulness and goodness. They spoke against God. They questioned Gods ways and style of functioning. All because they forgot to look back to their history and remember Gods power and might. They forgot who their God was and what He was able to do for them. They just looked at the obvious dangers and risk but forgot to trust God and depend on Him. Instead they were fidgety and restless and spread the virus among themselves.
What was the outcome?
They brought the wrath of God upon themselves and all of them who had grumbled, died in the desert without entering into Canaan land. Not only that, their journey which could have ended in few months times was prolonged to thirty seven years more. They could have reached their destination in three years but it took 40 years. They Cynical attitude brought it upon themselves and they suffered more. But Joshua and Caleb could enter the land because they remembered Gods power and decided to trust Him for the future too.
Many times, our cynical words or statements can spoil good things in life, can assassinate character, can also destroy relationship and certainly block Gods blessings upon us. We often fret and fume and try our own devices instead of banking upon Gods goodness. Let us remember: One virus can destroy the whole Computer, therefore it is better to delete it as soon as possible. When faced with new challenges remember to look to God for His power and might.
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Top-level comments on this article: (9 total)God Bless You Swapna. Wonderfully written article and so full of details. You can almost visualize what took place in the wilderness as you read. I agree with you we must watch the dangerous viruses we continually speak out of our mouths. And, instead trust God in every avenue of our lives teaching our selves to be swift to hear and slow to speak.DeborahThank you Deborah for reading and leaving a comment. Yes I agree with you. I am glad that you found the story meaningful. Thank you, Regards, Swapna
I think in most respects Skepticism should be avoided. However I see it has a place.Thank you for reading and commenting.
God is misrepresented,in most Bible stories, as having human feelings;God is above vengeance and vendetta,above revenge and spitework and above our understandingIf you think that God is misinterpreted in Bible stories then, do you say that Bible is a book of errors? God does have feelings. If HE would not have love for you and me then we would be not existing as we are now. God is not some Spirit who does not care about His creations. He can be very personally related too. He is Transcendent and Immanant too. Regards, SwapnaJesus never said that he was God as he always spoke of The Father.He pointed towards God and religion just stared at his finger.Anthropomorphism is the common human error of attributing human feelings to God. The Bible ,aside from being the Jewish Book of fairytales,misrepresents God as a warlike ,desert God of only one people .Even unthinking,blind bible thumpers know that thats wrong. The ancient Hebrews of 3000 years ago also wrongly lent him mankinds feelings of vengence,warfare(towards a goal for his for his chosen people)bitterness,anger and vendetta. Jesus(he was a jew,as am I) challenged that mean version of God when he taught ,pointed Christians to The Father, who loves us and forgives us and saves us.Many other lies abound;E.G.(A loving God would NEVER create a Hell for his beloved creations.)Hello Mr. Paul. Thank you for responding again and thank you for placing your opinion. I am glad to meet you and thrilled to know that you are a Jew. I say thrilling because you belong to the smae nation from which the Messiah has risen. whether you agree or not but you are special people whom God chose to be the light for the whole Wolrd and from you the Saviour of the world has come. I am obliged to have the OT becasue without it the NT would be very difficult to understand and grasp the sacrificial attonement of Christ. I am sure you will remember that God the Father attested Jesus Christ as HIS SON at His baptism, and there are many other instances which proves that He is God. Jesus said, those who have seen me has seen the Father and He IS the ONLY way to the Father. Yes, I agree with you that Jesus pointed to the Father because that was HIS mission. As aresult the universal church was established. Now, I don't call Christianity a religion. NO, it is a living relationship with the Living God. Jesus came to set right this relationship between man and God the Father which was broken due to sin. A true chrisitan gets into a new relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ. Now, its a pity tha there has been bloodshed and so much violence, but is it not continuing even today. SO do we blame the God of the OT. I am comfortable to reply to you and thank you once again for reading and commenting. I look forward to read yours. regards, Swapna
Yes a good lesson. The grumbling as not based on truth or faith it was in impatience and a lack of belief. Therefore the lesson is if your in truth then you should speak out not just speak for mere complaining.Thank you for reading and your insights. Regards, Swapna
Swapna,Wonderfully told! You are a blessing for SearchWarp. "...banking on God's goodness" is exactly right. Many of us are 'banking' on you to help others see the Light.Thank you,NancyThank you Nancy. I am humbled by your comment. May HE use each of us to be instrumental for bringing many to light. Thank you for reading and commenting. I am greatly encouraged. Regards, Swapna
Good article...keep writing...and commenting on my articles...heheheheheYes of course, I am doing that. Keep Writting. and God Bless.:)
Swapna, I can see that you are an amazing teacher to the children. I can picture your voice raising, your hands moving and then settling your voice. I bet these kids lean forward listening to your every word. O how I would love to be a student sitting at your feet....well, I am a student sitting at your feet. Tell me another true story! Blessings to you! TeresaThank you Teresa for being so kind and encouraging to me with your comments. I am also glad that I came across you and am learning from you too. Specially thank you for encouraging me to write. God Bless you too, Swapna
Swapna, you do have a way of telling a story and making a point. I'm glad I ran across this one.Thank you Lorrie for reading and commenting. Wish you all the best for your writtings too. Regards, Swapna
"They just looked at the obvious dangers and risk but forgot to trust God and depend on Him."Swapna, what a fantastic article! This story is timeless and relevant to todays world. Your message must be told to the world!Keep Writing!!Thank you Ken for reading, and leaving your valuable comments. I am greatly encouraged to write too. Regards, Swapna
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