Monday, April 7, 2014

Numbers 13 - Giants In the Promised Land

God organizes a scouting team, one representative from every tribe to go into the land of promise and see what it is like. Is it really as God promised; rich and fruitful?  Are the people of the land friendly? Do they live in settled towns?  Are the towns fortified against enemies?

These scouts are to bring back a report to the people. They see huge grape clusters unlike anything they had ever seen; requiring two men to carry one cluster. This land was indeed plentiful, just as God promised. 

Just like me sometimes, they saw their end goal but the opposition to reaching it seemed insurmountable and so they came back fearful. All the scouts but Caleb and Joshua saw the strength of their enemy. But Caleb and Joshua saw the strength of their God. Their recommendation was to press forward and take the land. 

We like the path of least resistance. We want peace and tranquility all our days, but God sometimes calls us out of our comfort zones because what He has planned for us is much greater than we would venture out for ourselves. What if God calls you to face your fears and see Him supply all your need with His great power? 

It is easy to look at the scouts with disdain since they had already received the promise of God that He would go before them and overcome their enemies. We too have been challenged to boldly witness, to confront injustice, to stand for the weak as God's ambassadors here. I wish I could take back all the opportunities God has given me and yet I squandered because of fear or tiredness, unwilling to go the less traveled thorny path. 

God does not always give us smooth sailing. He brings us right up to the edge of the waterfall and says, "will you trust me even now?"  Our rational thinking can justify turning away but oh how much of God's supply we miss out on. 

I am not advocating for foolish behavior, but if you have sensed the prompting of God to exerted yourself, your only responsibility before God is obedience. You can join with Him and see victory  or remain safe and live out your days on earth not knowing the joy on the other side of victory. 

Caleb and Hoshua were in the minority, yet they spoke up and said this is our promised land and we should take it. Will you too be bold in standing on God's promises?  Will you fight for the salvation of loved ones on your knees?  Will you be the one to tell them they are loved with an everlasting love and that God's promises are for them if they will only believe?  

We live a great adventure led by God. We have been appointed for these days to see God change lives and supply all our needs according to our riches in glory. Are you up for the journey? 

May God richly bless you as you seek Him and as you serve Him. 

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