T H E O P H I L U S

Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.” ³¹ But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” ³² And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored.

Numbers 13:30-32

Today’s Scripture Readings: Numbers 13:1-33, Psalm 68

There are times that we often look at the facts of our inability and allow them to get the most of who we are. When we compare ourselves to others who may seem to have more, or have accomplished more than we have we become intimidated or skeptic of our ability to perform.

It is interesting to note there are two perspectives that come back from exploring the land of Canaan. One of the spies, Caleb, comes back confident and sure that they would be able to conquer the land even with the giant descendants of Anak who were Nephilim. He had his hopes on the promises of God and verified they were true. The others who were with him fixed only their attention on the opponents – the Nephilim. But in verses 17 to 20, Moses mentions no instruction on what sort of opponents that lay awaiting there. Instead he asks them to bring back some of the fruit of the land.

When we fear the enemy, we give the enemy power. When we fear our obstacles, we have chosen to let the challenge become our deepest and inmost fear of failure. In the same way, whenever we choose to give up and let into sin, we have also chosen to let death have a stronghold on us. Instead, each day we ought to look towards God’s promises and persevere in our faith following the Lord. There are moments of doubt and fear, but whether we choose to let them direct our lives makes a greater difference in the outcome of our journey. Those who chose to walk away from God’s instruction to Moses ended up dieing in the desert.

Keep your eyes heavenward today. Remember his love, grace, and power that is over your life. Whenever you are tempted to think that your obstacles are too great to overcome, know that God’s plan for your life is greater than even the highest mountain.

 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which
God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:14