IMPOSSIBILITIES vs. OPPORTUNITIES

“Go in and possess the land that I’m giving you,” God said to his people whom He had brought up out of Egypt to a land he had promised Abraham hundreds of years earlier. They were now at the border. Moses sent twelve spies to check the land and its inhabitants. “When they reached the valley of Eschol, they cut off a branch bearing a single cluster of grapes. Two of them carried it on a pole between them, along with some pomegranates and figs. They came back and reported to Moses that the land flowed with milk and honey.” (Numbers 13:25) An apt description of a place God had prepared for them; to go in and possess, to occupy, to live and grow in. There they were to build up their families and serve Him – the one true God.

But a great enemy arose to defeat them. Ten of the twelve spies reported, “But the people who live there are powerful and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw the descendants of Anak there.” Their vision was clouded by fear. Fear of conditions and circumstances caused them to doubt God’s promises. However, the other two spies, Caleb and Joshua, saw things differently. “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” Faith fueled their belief in God’s promise and they wanted to act on it.

But the ten other spies spread a bad report among the people to inspire fear rather than faith. “We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes.” The result: they were consigned to the desert to wander aimlessly until death. Fear produces death – faith produces life and fulfillment of God’s promise. (Numbers 14:20)

What has God called you and me to do for Him? What giants prevent us from following wholeheartedly? Do we see them as giants of impossiblities rather than God’s opportunities to fulfill His promises? What do we miss because we don’t see with eyes of faith?

Prayer: Lord, help me to do my part, so you can do your part and fulfill the promises you have made in my life. Amen