Glimpse

Numbers 13:31-33

31 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are too strong for us.” 32 So they gave out to the sons of Israel a bad report of the land which they had spied out, saying, “The land through which we have gone, in spying it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants; and all the people whom we saw in it are men of great size. 33 There also we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak are part of the Nephilim); and we became like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”

Examine / Explain

The Israelites were poised to start taking the promised land, and God told Moses to send out spies into the land. They returned with a report that the land was good, but some of the spies reported the people were big and scary. They crushed the hearts of people and they did not go in and take the land.

How do I apply this to my life?

I see this moment as God giving a glimpse of glory to come. God wanted the people to know that through Him, they are capable of accomplishing great things. But the hearts of men are weak. Ten men crushed the hearts of a nation. Only two thought it was possible because of the God they serve. When have I crushed the heart when God gave me a glimpse of glory? We walk through this life begging God to show us what to do. We don’t want to take the next step unless we KNOW this is what God wants for us. Where is the faith in that? Where is our heart in that? Maybe if we knew what giants lay head we would coward and not move in promised lands. Maybe God knows us better than we know ourselves. We can barely handle a glimpse of what is to come because we fear not getting our way. Ten men saw an obstacle that could bring death. Death to them or their family so they made an inner vow that the obstacle was not worth it. They would rather not take God’s promise but instead sit safely in the desert. Where am I trying to sit in the desert? Where is my fear or inner vows keeping me from moving into the places God is patiently waiting for me to go? Is the fear of death keeping from something full of enormous fruit? Is the safety of my family keeping from a fight that has to be had? Is my passivity and apathy in control of my mind, will, and emotions?

What is my response?

Father, dare I ask for You to show me why I stand in the desert? Is my cowardness going to overrule my faith in You? Is there a lesson I’m not learning, and I have to travel to the desert wilderness again? Is the lesson that I will only learn in the desert? What part of my life is keeping me from fullness in You? What area of my life am I gripping so tight and not letting You have complete control of? Where is my passivity keeping me on the sidelines and not engaged with those around me? What do I need to change? What do I need to do differently? My fear has turned to the idea that You will actually show me what I need to change. Then I have to face the truth and deal with things I find enjoyable and comfortable. But You did not call us to be comfortable. You call us to make disciples and love others. You call us to love You with everything we have. Am I doing that? Where am I not? Put Your finger on it! Give me the strength to deal with it. Give me the courage to keep moving and not fall back into anything in an attempt to cope with what You want for me. I need help to stay focused on You. Please help me. Amen.