God's provident and loving care for the Israelites continued as they approached the Promised Land. The spies that were sent into the land to bring back a report saw that it was a rich and abundant land. But they allowed themselves to be overwhelmed with fear - the inhabitants were numerous and large! They infected the rest of the people with their fear, who soon began the familiar weeping and wailing, wanting only to go back into Egypt. In a sense, most of us want to go back to Egypt when we are afraid or overwhelmed. As in the story, this is the time for trust and faith. God will walk by our side.

Fear is a paralyzer. When Jesus walked on the water, the disciples were frightened, but Jesus reassured them and told them not to be afraid. Still disbelieving, Peter asked Jesus as a test to allow him to walk across the water. Jesus invited him out of the boat, and Peter began walking across the water and was doing just fine. But at a point, he allowed fear to overwhelm him. The connection with Jesus was broken and Peter began to drown. Jesus pulled the wet and discouraged Peter from the water and rebuked his doubt and lack of faith. With our fear we block so much of what God wants to do for us. God's power cannot do much when we surround ourselves with fear. Each day Jesus will ask us to step out of the boat - let us do so and never look down.