Human Response 221: Afraid and Distressed

Numbers 22:3 And Moab was sore afraid of the people, because they were many: and Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel.

The response of the pagan unbelievers to God’s children in the world is to be exceedingly afraid and sick with dread. Unbelief causes an unreasonable fear of Christians which brings forth hostility. Unbelief leads to fear leads to anger leads to persecution against the faithful believers in Christ. So it has always been through history: the Egyptians, the Canaanites, the Babylonians, the Romans, the Jews, the Muslims, and the Atheists have all feared and fought the people of God.

The Moabites could have lived peaceably side by side with Israel, but because they were afraid of them they fought them. In this case, Balak, king of Moab, sent for Balaam to come and curse the Israelites. But the Lord intervened and Balaam ended up blessing them. Moab continued to be a “thorn in the side.”

Why is fear and anger a response? “Why do the nations rage and the people’s plot in vain?…against the Lord and against His Anointed (Christ) [Psalm 2:1-2].” Why indeed? Satan stirs up fear and hostility. The world fans the flame. The flesh agrees and acts. The earthly reason is that people are afraid of something or someone different. But it is more than just “that’s not what I’m used to.” It is the sinful human nature that rebels against God and His authority that fears judgment for our thoughts, beliefs, and behavior.

I must admit and repent of unreasonable fear and misplaced anger in me. Then I admit and confess that Jesus loves, forgives, and accepts me. I fear, love, and trust in God above things.