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Technorati“We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. 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: 31, 33
King James Version
EXPLORATION
“Grasshoppers and Giants”
“Crisis brings out the best in the best of us, and the worst in the worst of us.”
Author Unknown
How do I respond to the challenges I face each day?
“Our extremities are the Lord’s opportunities.”
C. H. Spurgeon
INSPIRATION
“Who is among you who reverently fears the Lord, who obeys the voice of His Servant, yet who walks in darkness and deep trouble and has no shining splendor in (her) heart? Let (her) rely on, trust in, and be confident in the name of the Lord, and let (her) lean upon and be supported by (her) God.”
Isaiah 50: 10
Amplified Bible
Jim and I used to live close to the Pacific Ocean where the area was often covered by fog. We called, the months of May and June, “Lima Bean” months, because these beans were prolifically grown where we lived and the plants seemed to thrive in the early summer months when the fog was heaviest. After days of dark, damp, cold weather, we used to love to go to the desert where the sun shown over 90% of the time.
I was reminded of foggy days when I read our text for today found in Isaiah 50: 10. If you read this passage carefully, you’ll note it wasn’t written to those who did not believe in God. This text in Scripture was referring to individuals who “fervently feared the Lord.” These folk believed in God and yet, they were walking in a fog. “Darkness and deep trouble” surrounded them and as Isaiah so correctly pointed out, when your life is covered by a fog of despair, there is absolutely “no shining splendor” in your heart. Does this text describe your life right at this moment? Are you blanketed in a fog-bank of gloom and despair? Are you facing so many problems you don’t know how to preceed?
Well, let’s take a look at Numbers 14, in our continuing study of this often overlooked book in Scripture. In review, God had brought His children out of Egypt; He had guided and protected them through the desert; and now, on the border of the Promised Land, God came to Moses with the promise of His continued guidance. In preparation for the journey into Canaan, Moses sent out spies, representatives from every tribe, to look over the land. He instructed these individuals to: “Get you up… and see the land, what it is; and the people that dwelleth therein, whether they be strong or weak, few or many; and what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strongholds; And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein or not. And be ye of good courage!”…. (Numbers 13: 17-20, K.J.V.) It was as though these tribe members were scouts – surveying their prospects and their new home. As a last message of encouragement, Moses said, “Be of good courage!” (Numbers 13: 20).
Now I want to ask you my favorite question, “Why?” Why would Moses’ last words to the spies be the instruction, “Don’t be afraid?” I’ll tell you what I think and it comes from the end of Numbers 13. God and Moses knew what these spies were going to find. Canaan was a beautiful land filled with lush fruit and fertile valleys. But Canaan was also a land filled with big, strong warriors. And so, as the spies set out on their journey, Moses reminded them that no matter what they found or how daunting the task ahead, they were to be filled with courage because they had nothing to fear. Moses knew, with God on their side, they would conquer any enemy they came against. It didn’t matter how big the enemy was or how fierce their threats. When you have God with you, you’re invincible! Continue »
