July 23, 2014
Numbers 13-Part 3
And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak-which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight. Numbers 13:33
LET IT GLOW
The twelve men, who ere sent to spy out the Land of Promise, gave their report to everyone: the land was fruitful, the cities were walled for protection, and the people were strong. The people who lived in, possessed the land were specifically mentioned. I call them the "ites." What became the focus of the report? Was it on the luscious fruit and fertile land or on the walls around the cities that had to be broken down, or the huge people? The strength and power of God is not even mentioned.
Caleb stilled, which means to hush in Hebrew, the people. He challenged the Israelites to go up at once and possess the land, for they were well able to overcome the obstacles.
Then the good report went bad. The ten spies spoke up and said to the Israelites:
- They were not able to go up against the people, for they were stronger.
- The land devours those living in it.
- All the people they saw were of great size in stature.
- Seeing the giant Amalekites caused them to seem like grasshoppers in their own eyes.
LET IT GROW
In essence, the ten Israelite spies, who were the leaders of their tribe, told the people they could not win in any battles against those giant warriors and protected cities. How would we have reacted if we had heard that report?
I recall watching the Christian movie, Facing the Giants. The underdog football team came together physically, mentally, and spiritually. The coach kept encouraging the boys and they kept winning games. Their faith in God kept increasing. Whether they won or lost, they would praise God. This resulted in the final championship game, going up against the giants, which they won. Although they had struggles and challenges, together the team faced them and conquered them. They did not listen to the discouragers and reports.
When we have giants in our life that we come up against, what do we do? Do we go to God with the problem, issue, situation? In God's eyes, all our problems are small, but to us they are big. He can handle anything and everything.
We know that Moses, Joshua, and Caleb were the only ones of the leaders who continued to believe God was all-powerful and willing to conquer those giants and give the land to His children. We know that this unbelief cost that generation of Israelites, for they did not get to see and experience Almighty God work for them, nor did they get to live in such a wonderful land.
How is our perspective when we face problems that seem bigger than us? Do we trust our God to take care of it? To break down the wall of impossibility? To give us strength to stand up against the giants who are doing things wrong? When our money runs low, do we seek our God's will for us?
Are we giants in faith or grasshoppers? How do we look at God-a giant or a grasshopper?
Do you remember that David met the giant Goliath with only five smooth stones, a slingshot, and a giant faith in his God? You know how that turned out.
The account of David and Goliath vividly pictures the source of the Christian's faith-not our own size, strength, or resources, but the power of Almighty God. If we focus on our opposition and problems, they will seem gigantic. But as we focus on God we will see our situation in the proper perspective and be assured that all things are possible with God. (Phil. 4:13) (Blackaby)
LET IT GO
Recognize God as being all-powerful.
Take my problems to Him to resolve.
Trust and obey.
No comments:
Post a Comment