When the spies returned from spying on the land of Canaan, they came to Moses with the fruit of the land and said, “We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. Nevertheless, the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover, we saw the descendants of Anak there…Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, ‘Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it’” (Numbers 13:27-30).
But the other spies brought the land they had explored into disrepute among the children of Israel. They told them about the giants they had seen and compared themselves as locusts to the giants. “So, all the congregation lifted up their voices and cried, and the people wept that night” (chapter 14:1).
Continuing on seemed dangerous, but returning to a vast desert was discouraging. The question of which way they should go was a serious one. So, the people began to grumble, wishing they had died in Egypt or would still die in the desert. Joshua and Caleb spoke words of comfort to them and said: “‘The Lord is with us. Do not fear them.’ And all the congregation said to stone them with stones” (verses 9-10).
God’s displeasure was now aroused, and He wanted to destroy the children of Israel, but Moses interceded before the Lord on their behalf. Now God did not allow them to enter the land. They had to return to the desert, where they would all die, while their children were allowed to enter the Promised Land later.
As I read this about how God dealt with the children of Israel, my thoughts were drawn to our spiritual battle. We sometimes come to a place in our lives where continuing ahead seems almost impossible, but going back into the wilderness of sin would bring certain death and destruction. When God sometimes places spiritual duties and responsibilities upon us, our inability and human weakness rise before us like great and insurmountable obstacles. Satan will bring all this out and make our inability seem credible. Mistakes made in the past will rise like mountains before us, and then we must decide. Should we go forward? Or do we want to go back like the Israelites? If they had obeyed God, they would have been allowed to enter Canaan.
It is the same with us. If we obey God, we will receive all the promised blessings. But if we refuse to obey God, we will experience what the people of Israel did. But we need not go back, we need not succumb. In the power of our God, we can go forward victoriously. God Himself gives the upright the necessary strength to do so. He also helps us to pass all tests and always provides enough strength and grace if we humbly ask Him for it. He wants a faithful and tested, indeed, an established people. But if we are not obedient to God, we will return to the wilderness of sin. Those who are faithful will take our place.
How good it is to know that God will always give us enough grace to do what He requires of us! If we look to Jesus, we will always be victorious.
Let us go forward courageously in the name and in the power of the One who is mighty to save and to preserve and who can and will always give us victory.
“O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places. The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people. Blessed be God!” (Psalm 68:36).
M. L. Meyer
Be the first to comment