Numbers 14

This chapter is one of the most tragic chapters in the Old Testament. The spies have come back from their trip, the ten brought their negative report, based on their own human perspective, and now we find the entire congregation weeping. They are weeping in UNBELIEF, forgetting the greatness of God, and all He had done for them. Quickly they decide that it is all Aaron and Moses’ fault, and they prepare to appoint a new leader to take them back to Egypt.

How deceived can you be! Going back to Egypt would be certain death, yet so many of us are guilty of the same thing. We hit a trial that we view as too much, and we are ready to throw in the towel, to go back to the world. Learn a lesson, when we hit difficult places, the only place we should be running is to the feet of Jesus.

Caleb and Joshua are so grieved by all of this that they tear their clothes! They stand up before the congregation, and they pour out their hearts. “God will go before us! If we go with Him, we have nothing to fear! The land is SO BLESSED, and it is ours, let’s get in there and take it!”

Now I read their words, and imagine the situation, and what takes place next is just unbelievable to me. No reasoning, no considering what Joshua and Caleb say, the children of Israel voice one unified cry. “STONE THEM!!!” This is so crazy; here you have the people of God ready to destroy the very men God has sent to speak to them. And why??? Because they are seeing things the way the world sees them instead of the way God sees them.

When you look at the situations around you, don’t look with your human limitations… Instead look at the world with eyes of faith. Joshua and Caleb saw what they saw because THEY BELIEVED GOD’S PROMISE. When we fail to believe God’s word, and the promises He makes to us within its pages; we are in danger of moving THE OPPOSITE direction from where He is trying to take us. BELIEVE GOD’S PROMISES. SEE WITH EYES OF FAITH. LOOK TO THE GREATNESS OF GOD, RATHER THAN THE GREATNESS OF THE TRIAL YOU FACE.