Calebs or Cowards?

A few years ago, my husband and I visited our oldest son in Salt Lake City, Utah. Our son had made us an offer we couldn't refuse. He offered that if we came to Salt Lake, he would take us on vacation at his expense. This trip is by far the best one of my life to date. 

We took a back road from Salt Lake to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The countryside was breathtaking. 

We stopped several times along the way just to get out of the car and take in the view. Modest farmhouses, barns, and an occasional abandoned building were scattered throughout the countryside. 

Something about the simple way of living appeals to me. 

We continued our back road adventure to Grand Teton National Park the next day. 

The flat landscape of North-Central, Iowa, where I grew up, made the Rocky Mountains seem more majestic than ever. 

I felt small and insignificant as I gazed in awe at God's creation. To think that He merely spoke and this incredible spectacle came into existence was too marvelous to comprehend.

As I was reflecting on that trip today, a passage of scripture came to my mind.

"And the Lord said to Moses,

Send men to explore and scout out [for yourselves] the land of Canaan, which I give to the Israelites. From each tribe of their fathers you shall send a man, every one a leader or head among them." Numbers 1:1-2

Many of us know the story of the twelve spies Moses sent to see the land that the Lord had promised His people. 

When the twelve returned, they confirmed that the land was everything the Lord had promised. It had grape vines so bountiful the clusters had to be carried on a pole between two people. There was also a plethora of pomegranates and figs. Then came that famous phrase from ten of them in verse 28, 

"But the people who dwell there are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large; moreover, there we saw the sons of Anak [of great stature and courage]."

God had miraculously delivered His people from the slavery of Egypt. He parted the Red Sea, then closed it in on the advancing chariots of Pharaoh and his army. His presence was continual with them as a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. He provided water in the desert, mana from heaven, and quail. Still, all that was forgotten when insurmountable obstacles appeared before them.

" And Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among the scouts who had searched the land, rent their clothes,

And they said to all the company of Israelites, The land through which we passed as scouts is an exceedingly good land.

If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us..." Numbers 13:6-8

In other words, Joshua and Caleb declared, "God said it, so we can do it!"

As I read through this story, I noticed a few things. First, the twelve spies that were chosen were supposedly the Leaders of each of their tribes. 

Second, they scouted the land for forty days. My immediate thought was, "If this land was so dangerous, how could they be there for that length of time and stay undetected and unharmed?" 

A famous phrase says, "Fear is faith in reverse." We see that to be true in this passage.

Numbers chapter 13, verses 32 & 33, continues the negative report of the ten:

"...The land through which we went to spy out is a land that devours its inhabitants. And all the people that we saw in it are men of great stature.

There we saw the Nephilim [or giants], the sons of Anak, who come from the giants; and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight."

However, Joshua said something totally different in Numbers 14:9:

"Only do not rebel against the Lord, neither fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their defense and the shadow [of protection] is removed from over them, but the Lord is with us. Fear them not." 

God's Word is clear; we have whatever we say (Mark 11:23). The power of life and death is in our mouth (Proverbs 18:21). 

What are you saying today, my Friends? 

What and Who are you listening to?

We know how the story in the Book of Numbers ended. Because of their rebellion and unbelief, the Israelites were condemned to wander in the wilderness for forty years. Joshua and Caleb were the only two of the twelve allowed to enter the promised land. In addition, Joshua 14:10- 11 tells us at the age of 85, Joshua had the health and strength he had at 40. 

Again, who's report do you believe?

We are living in days of chaos and turmoil. Angry, panicking people and news reports are screaming at us that all hope is lost. And so we have a choice to make. Are we Calebs, or will we crumble into cowards?

I declare to you today, "Let God be true and every man a Liar." (Romans 3:4)

"And He said, Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord. And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake;

"And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire [a sound of gentle stillness and] a still, small voice." 

1 Kings 19:11-13 AMPC

Get up early tomorrow. Shut off your phone, grab your Bible, and spend time with your Savior.  

He has not fallen off of His throne. He cannot be surprised nor perplexed. 

He has already won any battle the enemy could ever wage against us. 

Breathe in His peace and goodness.

Our best days in Him are ahead of us, and within those days is victory.