Numbers 13: 21- 33; 14: 1-38

Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.”

This account of exploring Canaan really strikes fear in the heart! Not fear from the perspective of evil; but rather a reverential fear of God – His ways, and His acts! God is a God of mercy; but also of judgment. The story here brings to light another aspect of God we never want to experience all the days of our lives! That is, His anger and/or judgement!

The scary part is that there are lots of similarities between the offenders’ responses and ours as we meet/face life’s challenges presently. It’s easy to analyze/condemn the actions/responses of the ten spies, forgetting that we mirror the same attitude in our walk with God today! I wonder why God has not subjected us to the same judgement; ‘grace’, I suppose. But while we thankfully applaud the era of grace, may we keep in mind that grace should never be taken for granted.

The ten spies saw reality – which was pretty obvious. Truth be told, one could write off their account to ‘speaking sincerely and honestly’ because they said it as they saw it. But Caleb and Joshua saw beyond 

the present, beyond the reality, and beyond impossibilities. The difference is that these two spies refused to allow the realities of the situation to becloud the promises God had given them (the Isrealites)! No wonder the Bible records they had a different spirit, and followed the Lord wholeheartedly.

Yes, the giants were there; and it looked like an impossible task. But didn’t God say ‘I will give you a land flowing with milk and honey’ (Leviticus 20:24)? This was Caleb and Joshua’s confidence – if God said it, He will do it, period!

The reason God was very cross with the ten spies is that they failed to consider Him! Yes, the giants were there; but God’s presence was equally present, and the promise He made to them still stood! God knew the conquest of Canaan was not going to happen without a fight; but all He needed from them was faith, trust, and obedience.

How often we succumb to the threats of the prevailing situation. How weakly we accept the realities of the intimidating challenges. How vaguely we remember God’s promises to us in the face of danger. How quickly we forget the miracles of yesterday. How lightly we esteem God’s presence, His power, and His word!

Why are we so fearful and anxious about our problems? Have we failed to consider that God is with us? Have we forgotten that the everlasting arm is our refuge, and He drives away our enemies from us (Deut 33:27)? He promised to “….never leave or forsake us” (Heb 13:5)

Folks, we have His presence, we have His promises, we have His power! What are we so scared about? Let us remember personal testimonies of what God has done in the past. Let us have confidence in what He is able to do. May we never fail to consider God in any opposing combat.

Ponder on the lyrics of this favorite hymn below (By Annie Flint):

• When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
  When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
  When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
  Our Father’s full giving is only begun.
• Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
  Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
  Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
  The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.
• His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
  His power no boundary known unto men;
  For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
  He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again!

Shalom!