Tucked away in Numbers 13 is a lesson we all can learn about our perspective. Moses was to choose someone from each Hebrew tribe to go and explore the land of Canaan which the Lord was giving to them. Remember, the Lord had promised to give them this land. That means it was there for the taking. It was just a matter of following what the Lord says to do to possess the land. Sounds pretty simple doesn’t it? Believe me, it got complicated from the very beginning. We have a way of doing that in life even now.
So they go up and explore this land flowing with milk and honey. They grabbed some grapes on the way out and it took two men to carry them because they were so large. This journey took a total of forty days. When they returned they confirmed that it is all that they were told it would be. It was flowing with milk and honey and the fruit was huge. Then they began to talk about the people. “28 However, the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large. And besides, we saw the descendants of Anak there.” Numbers 13:28 Caleb quickly says, “We can take them.” I believe he totally trusted in the Lord who provides all that we need to fulfill His promises. Caleb and Joshua represented the minority report. It was ten against two. It is almost like the ten who had a bad report came down with amnesia. Weren’t these the same people God had miraculously freed from captivity? Hadn’t they seen his mighty power displayed? How could they even hint to go back to Egypt? Following the advice of the ten over the two cost them their lives. This lack of faith cost an entire generation (age twenty and older) the privilege of entering Canaan. Now they were forced to wander four decades in the desert until the last of the doubters was dead. Then the next generation would be given a similar opportunity. Living as grasshoppers is not an option. Caleb and Joshua was walking with spiritual sight which breaks open the reality of the unseen world. That is what sourced them with their spiritual supplies to draw from. Living in the realm of the seen only leads to the power that God provides to become anemic. Sure, the people who currently occupied Canaan were giant people. But as you look through the lenses that Caleb and Joshua looked through, you realize the bigger they are the harder they fall. Choosing to turn and run from the giants only produces fear. What giants are you facing today? Following the ways of God will help you to get where you’re going quicker. “Lord, help those who are reading this devotional thought to trust you in spite of the way things appear.” I want to encourage you to sign up for the Church Workday on Saturday. There are two shifts you can choose from (9-Noon or 1-4). There will be a lunch in between each shift. I plan on being at both. To sign up, call the church office or text the word, “workday” to the church office (419-422-8660). Joy in Jesus! Pastor Mike
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Rev. Mike McClurgSenior Pastor, Findlay First Church of the Nazarene Archives
March 2020
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