For the last few days I have been thinking about a few spies sent to scout out some land. Perhaps you remember them as well …
Moses sent twelve men, one from each tribe of Israel, to go and see the land which God had promised to the people. Their instructions …
“See what the land is like, and find out whether the people living there are strong or weak, few or many. See what kind of land they live in. Is it good or bad? Do their towns have walls, or are they unprotected like open camps. Are there many trees? Do your best to bring back samples of the crops you see.”
(Numbers 13:18-20, NLT)
The men do exactly as instructed, exploring the land for forty days and then returning to give their report. And so the report begins …
“We entered the land you sent us to explore, and it is indeed a bountiful country – a land flowing with milk and honey.” (verse 27)
And then the shoe drops …
“But the people living there are large and fortified. We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak!” (verse 28)
And if that were not enough, they continued …
“All the people were huge. Next to them we felt like grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too!” (verse 33)
These ten spies could only see with their natural eyes and minds, forgetting all which God had already promised to them. Their report quickly became exaggerated and spread like wildfire through the whole community. The response of the people?
Weeping aloud, they cried all night. “If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!” they complained. (Numbers 14:1-2, NLT)
Seriously? How quickly they had forgotten all which God had already done for them – providing for their needs, rescuing them from their captivity, leading them day and night through the wilderness.
And sometimes, we are just like them, seeing the glass half empty all the time. Much like my friend, Eeyore, attempts at optimism, fall short.
But there were two spies, Caleb and Joshua, who were able to see things differently. They saw the land through the lens of faith, from God’s perspective …
But Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. “Let’s go at once to take the land,” he said. “We can certainly conquer it!” (Numbers 13:30, NLT)
On those days, when life seems unsurmountable, may we not focus on the problem. May we not let our imaginations run wild and grow huge in our minds.
Instead may we focus on the One who overcame all odds.
For it is in Him, we can certainly conquer.
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37, NIV)
Today I am joining … Three Word Wednesday and Tell His Story and Wedded Wednesday and Women With Intention .
Glad to be neighbors again on #TellHisStory. I too often forget the wondrous deeds of the Lord (Psalm 145:5-7). This reminded me of the first blog post I wrote last Feb. http://www.katiemreid.com/2014/02/spies-grapes-giants-oh-my/ Thank you for this reminder this morning.
Katie, I loved that you shared your post with me. This here > “There may be obstacles in your way, or doubts and fears threatening to overshadow the fruit of your Canaan. But, remember His promises. Remember who God is. He is greater than the giants. He is able to produce fruit in an unknown land.” Thank you for remembering your first post! I love it when God works this way in my life to repeat or further develop what He is teaching me. Blessings!
What a great way to start my day! May I focus on the One who overcame all odds! Thank you for the encouragement! Much love!
Deb, I am so glad the words encouraged you. May I suggest you see the above comment & read Katie’s post – so very good! Much love to you!
How often we forget what God has done for us. We forget everything He has provided for us! Great reminder. š
Visiting from Women with Intention.
It is so true isn’t it, Emily? Our current needs eclipse that He has provided in the past. May He sharpen our memories š
I am reminded over and over that God is in total control and wants what is best for me. Blessings to you and yours! Marie
Marie, yes!!! He wants what is best for us. I can so forget that when His best does not look like what I may want. May He align my heart so that His best becomes my only wants. So grateful you shared!
I needed to hear this message today, Joanne! I’m so glad to visit your place and be encouraged to focus on the power and might of our Lord rather than the troubles that swirl around us. I’m being challenged by many to enter the fray of all that is controversial, but I want to simply stay in my comfort zone. This helps remind me who is withe me, my friend! Love the conversation between Eeyore and, I’m assuming, Pooh! It’s so sweet and so very profound. š
Beth, may you know when & what to speak as He leads you.
Amen! I want to have a different spirit, like Caleb did, and look at life through the lens of faith. I’m needing so much to remember this now. š
Betsy, I am thinking we both needed the reminder š For some wonderful encouragement on this same portion of Scripture, may I suggest you scroll up & read Katie’s post which she shared in her comment. Just wonderful!
I’m doing Angie Smith’s Seamless study this summer with some friends and we just studied this part of scripture. It’s really neat to read your thoughts today and be reminded of what God is teaching me about perspective and how he always provides. I’m always glad for you to link up at #ThreeWordWednesday.
Kristin, I have that workbook sitting on my desk. That will be the next one I do for myself š Always good to join you. May you have a Happy Fourth of July!
Hello, Joanne it is refreshing reading this here today. We tend to magnify the extent of our problems rather than the Lord who is greater than any issues we face.
I take it that the 10 spies reflect how easily we fall short of trusting God.
Many Blessings to you
Ifeoma, you are so right – we easily fall short of trusting God. May He grow our trust in Him deeply as we remember His faithfulness to us. Grateful you stopped & shared!
It is always easy to focus on the problems rather than Our God and His awesome power. But that’s the enemy’s plan to distract us from enjoying God’s love and power.
We must all stand against the tide and say yes it is possible, even when everything looks tough. God’s word cannot be defeated!!!
Bless you Joanne!
Ugochi, thank you for identifying the problem – distraction. May we not fall for this but keep our eyes focused. So grateful you shared your thoughts!